R.I.P. Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert, arguably the most popular movie reviewer of our time, and unarguably the first film critic to win a Pulitzer prize, passed away today after a long battle with cancer.

Just two days ago Mr. Ebert had posted that he was taking a Leave of Presence from his role as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.  While Mr. Ebert was stepping away due to his health and treatments for the cancer that had returned, he was far from retiring.  Mr. Ebert spoke about more movie reviews and writing he planned to do, a redesigned website, and digital presence as well a Roger Ebert video game or app.

So it was a surprise to learn that today Roger Ebert passed on.

Of course it wouldn’t have surprised him.  As Mr. Ebert wrote in his piece, I Do Not Fear Death:

I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear…

R.I.P. Roger Ebert.