His book 'The Lady or the Tiger' came at a pivotal point in my life in my early forties, actually helped lift me out of a deep depression upon being separated from my children. I had planned to write him to see if I could visit him, but never did. He inspired me, and has touched my children's lives as well. A great human being. I'm saddened upon waking to this news. I had hoped the NYT was an errant knight in this case.