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Star Trek's Scotty Dies at 85

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the don't-make-the-joke-just-don't-do-it dept.

darkworm writes "James Doohan, better known to Trekkies everywhere as Scotty, has died at the age of 85. James was suffering from both Parkinsons and Alzheimer's and died earlier today at his home"

9 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. To quote STII, The Wrath of Kahn. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Is the word given, sir?"

    "Aye, laddie-- warp speed."

    RIP, Scotty.

  2. A sad day by Nos. · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Scotty had to be one of the most beloved Star Trek characters of all time and Mr. Doohan really made the character. I only hope that someone somewhere will play Amazing Grace on the pipes for him as he did for Spock at the end of Star Trek II.

  3. RIP by IcyNeko · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... Of all the characters in Star Trek.... He.. was the most... human.

  4. Remembering James Doohan by buckhead_buddy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just as Agnes Moorehead didn't want to be remembered only as "the witch", I think it's kind of insulting to James Doohan just to encapsulate remberences of him solely as his most well-known character. Can anyone out there comment on his other roles? (e.g. Star Commander of Jason?) his military service? or his long, long life?

    We all know he had a fun, fake Scottish accent and was unparalleled in delivering technobabble in just the right doses for a good episode of Trek, but I'd love to hear the stories of this man that aren't penned by Rodenberry or copyrighted by Viacom.

    Anyone have any?

  5. Re:A good memorial would be... by fostware · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Space Shuttle is obviously waiting for his ashes... That would be fitting. (Depending on the families wishes of course)

    --
    "We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run over." - Aneurin Bevan
  6. Scotty's Rule of Thumb by stuffduff · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I remember Scotty explaining to LaForge one day that his secret was to always exaggerate the time it takes to do something by a factor of eight. Usually this made him look like a hero, but he always had that built in time for dealing with the unforeseen problem. It was one of the more important lessons I learned from Star Trek.

    But the real value that James Doohan brought to his role, and that I value from his life was his enthusiasm. The positiveness he brought to his role came from the heart. He embodied and lived the "Can Do" attitude. Hopefully it was every bit as infectious as the rest of Star Trek and we will all remember that we too 'can do!'

    --
    "Can there be a Klein bottle that is an efficient and effective beer pitcher?"
  7. We can'ne change the laws of physics :( by Zerbey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A great actor who will be missed by all. So sad that such an extrodinary human suffered the indignity of dying through Alzheimers.

    I recommend all Slashdotters honour his memory by donating to the Alzheimer's Association so we can find a cure for this disease.

  8. Re:Beem him on up... by kfg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My father died when I was one year old. He knew he was going to die. My mother knew he was going to die. I am not an accident.

    I do not consider my conception reprehensible behavior on the part of either of my parents. I'm rather glad to be here. Thanks mom and dad. The weather is lovely today and I'm angst free about the whole thing, no matter how unfasionable that may be these days.

    My mother is rather glad to have me here as well, as was my father's mother before she too passed on.

    I am something of him for them; and as I am half him he can hardly have "left" me.

    KFG

  9. Re:Beem him on up... by kfg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have two, two, two recessive genetic diseases, one of which has the potential to kill me (and always makes my life rather difficult) and the other of which will certainly kill me in time. I have lived much of my life in pain and discomfort.

    Life is suffering.

    Nonetheless, today the sky is a remarkable shade of blue, the sun is warm, but not too hot and the air smells of summer. I have been sitting down by the river where there is a nice breeze blowing and playing violin much of the morning. I like playing violin.

    Life is also the only blessing you will ever receive, and if all it offered me was today I would take it rather than have nothing.

    I see no point in self-inflicted psychological suffering when it is just as easy to play violin. I feel sadness for your father, but because he created his own tragedy needlessly.

    My father made it out of his twenties, but only just. Rheumatic Fever. There was no such thing as a heart transplant at the time.

    Life is suffering; and then you die. If parents never had children to prevent them from suffering and death there wouldn't be any parents in the first place.

    Get thee hence and buy the best pizza in town. Enjoy it.

    Thank your father for making that joy possible.

    KFG