Why am I so sad about Leonard Nimoy’s death? I didn’t know him – not in real life. Yet I loved Mr. Spock, who was the cool, logical person I knew I could never be. My life was t00 rattled by rage – mine and my father’s. I would have loved a Spock-like dad. I fantasized about it. Captain Kirk was the blowhard guy – I wanted Spock. Not the guy who over-emoted all over the place. (I did like Sulu a lot, too – thanks, George Takei!)

My Facebook feed was filled with postings about Mr. Nimoy’s death – everyone had something to say about Mr. Spock. About the Jewish etymology of the “Live Long and Prosper” hand signal of his. About how much he resonated with them. I resonated with them.

Leonard Nimoy was an actor and a poet, a photographer and a director, and a little bit of a singer. He was a husband and a father. A Jew. A mensch, as far as I can tell. A person whose persona captured the imaginations of generations, and will far into the future.

I think I’ll watch some old Star Trek episodes this weekend with my teenage daughter, if she’ll put up with me, and try to explain the hero that Mr. Spock was to me.

Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy. I have been, and always shall be, your fan.