Tonight while at dinner, a friend sent me a message that Robin Williams had died. I sat in shock, though I had never met Robin, I have admired his work for years.

After getting home, getting the boys settled, I began ready news stories and the outpouring of responses from friends, family and fans throughout the US. And two big things that stood out to me: 1) it appears that he struggled with mental illness for a long time and 2) his charitable donations of his time to raise money will be sorely missed.

Mental illness is becoming a topic of conversation that our country can no longer avoid. We are losing more and more people each and everyday due to suicide and mental illness. It is time that we as a society do something to address the issues, instead of cutting state funding for treatment. Mental all illness is a serious problem that isn’t going away. We can either face the problem and work on solutions or face more deaths.

As for his giving of his time, Robin Williams was a HUGE supporter of the USO and went on many comedy tours overseas to support our troops. He also did a lot with Make A Wish and St Jude Hospital, to name just a few. This will be a huge loss for these organizations and for those effected.  But they aren’t the only ones that are losing out, so are his family, his friends, co-workers, and fans.

Here are three clips from three of my favorite movies that Robin Williams was in:

Goodwill Hunting:

Dead Poets Society:

Patch Adams:

I grew up watching Robin Williams and I think that as so many, I feel a since of loss. A loss that is small in comparison to others, but his death will leave a void. He was one of the funniest comedians of my time. He appeared in roles that varied from a loud solider in Good Morning Vietnam, to a loving compassionate therapist in Good Will Hunting to a soon to be Doctor in Patch Adams. And it is through those characters that we all connected with, but it is through those characters we will all miss.

So tonight, Robin Williams, may you sleep easy. May you no longer be in pain. But more importantly, may your family feel the comfort and the love of those that loved you.

Rest in Peace Robin.