According to medical statistics, one person on the planet Earth dies every two seconds. While each and every death is a tragic loss to the person’s loved ones, most deaths go virtually unnoticed by the public at large. There are some deaths, however, that gain national attention, like the death of the famous – or the infamous. Then there are those very few people whose death literally stops the world in its tracks. From the tragic loss of Princess Diana, to the murder of John Lennon – to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy – only an elite few have earned enough respect and admiration of the entire world to deserve its undivided attention at the time of his or her passing.

One of those very elite few died yesterday – and has deservedly seen the world stop in its tracks to mourn his unfortunate passing – Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan started changing the world he lived in at the very early age of sixteen, when he became a lifeguard in the summer of 1927 and saved an amazing 77 people – earning him a plaque that was erected in honor of his heroism. Graduating Eureka College with a degree in economics and sociology, he went on to become a commentator for the Chicago Cubs, an actor, a military man, a husband, a father, a Governor – and the 40th President of the United States.

During his historic eight years in office, Reagan brought more change to not just “our” world, but the world at large and the world of the future than any U.S. President who came before or after him. When you are the President of the United States, you are, by far, the most important human being in the world. Your decisions, no matter how insignificant, could literally change the face of the planet Earth – and change it he did. He negotiated the release of the 52 remaining hostages who had been held for 444 days at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran the first day he took office. He passed a three-stage, $41.4 billion tax-cut, the largest in U.S. history. He was the first President to address the meeting of combined Houses of Parliament in England. He signed the legislation making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. And he is the sole person responsible for the destruction of Communism in the Eastern world. Throughout history, many people have dreamed of achieving the accomplishments that Ronald Reagan has – and very few ever will.

I remember Reagan very well, because he was President during my teenage years. I remember him as a strong leader, someone who exuded power but seemed trusting, who showed me leadership but did so with warmth and grace – and someone who took the power that was given to him by the people and used it for the people – with absolutely no desire for self-reward.

I remember in the movie Back To The Future, when Marty, played by Michael J. Fox told “Doc” played by Christopher Lloyd, that in the year 1985, Ronald Reagan was the president. His response was, “Who’s Vice President? Jerry Lewis?!” Even now, as actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and wrestlers like Jesse Ventura enter the political arena, we greet them with laughter and ridicule, something I am sure Reagan had to face when he decided to run for President. But despite any ridicule he may have received, he became one of America’s most memorable leaders – and one of society’s most historical figures.

Immediately following his death, everyone was eager to share their prayers and praise for the former President. From those who served with him – to those who opposed him – all spoke highly of “The Gipper.” “His work here is done, and now a shining city awaits him,” proclaimed a somber President Bush yesterday. “I take the death of Ronald Reagan very hard,” said Former U.S.S.R. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, who was his direct adversary in the Cold War. “It was his goal and his dream to enter history as a peacemaker.” “I think throughout his term in office he was very worthy of the moniker that was put on him as the ‘Great Communicator,’” said Former President Jimmy Carter, whom Reagan defeated to win his first term in office. And John Kerry, the Democratic Presidential Candidate, said Reagan, “was the voice of America in good times and in grief.” But of all that was said about Reagan since his death less than 36 hours ago – no one said it better than his wife Nancy, when she said, “I think they broke the mold when they made Ronnie.”

So now, in this dark hour in our nation’s history, we pause to remember one of our most memorable, effective, determined, successful and brilliant leaders. A man who cared not for his legacy, but for the fate of the country he so proudly served and the people who lived in it. A man who was not afraid to stand at Brandenberg Gate at the foot of the Berlin Wall and demand that the leader of a nation he called, “the focus of evil in the modern world” tear down the wall – and have the leader comply. And a man who has done so much for this country, that he belongs on our currency, on Mount Rushmore – or at least in our hearts, our minds – and our prayers.

When Ronald Reagan announced to the world that he was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease on November 5, 1994, he said, “When the Lord calls me, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours, and eternal optimism for its future.” Thanks to him – that future is a whole lot brighter.

Farewell Mr. President, and thank you for changing the world.