WAF Mourns the Loss of Our Friend, Kim Peek

Thanks to all those who sent emails to our charity asking about Kim Peek...who passed away on December 19, 2009. 

For those of you who do not remember Kim Peek, he is the man that graced our stage with his Dad to present the Education Award to the National Scholarship Award for Workplace Innovation and Design.  While on stage, Kim reminded his father what time they would need to leave in order to catch their limo to the airport.  Unusual comment for a presenter?  Not really.  Kim Peek was the man that Dustin Hoffman studied and modeled in his portrayal of the "Rain Man"which was nominated for multiple Oscars.  He's relentlessly honest and always says what's on his mind.

Kim also visited us in Chicago a few weeks prior to the awards to throw out the first pitch at a White Sox game.   The pitch wasn't 98mph.  In fact, he just walked to the batters box and handed the ball to the catcher.  We definitely enjoyed as Kim was being interviewed, actually grilled, by Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson, about White Sox statistics dating back to 1900.  Kim not only knew the stats, he quoted scores of the games, the day of the week of the game, and the day of the week that the starting pitcher was born.  Kim was unique.

One of the emails that we received was from our friend, Sean Stephenson.   Sean writes, "When Kim first met me, he said...you're small and you're in a wheelchair."  That's Kim.  

Kim Peek and his Father, Fran Peek, are in our thoughts and prayers today.  Please join us and say a prayer of thanks for this unique gift.  There will only be one Kim Peek, and we thank God that we had of glimpse of this extraordinary and gifted man...who brought so much joy to the people he met and gave so much hope to people who are different.

Kim was born on November 11, 1951...which as a Sunday, and he died December 19, 2009.  That was Saturday.  I had to look those up...Kim, you will be missed.