In 2008 after reading a goodly number of Ralph's books I mustered the courage to send him an email, thanking him for his work. It was a long, rambling email that regurgitated what Ralph already knew because he had written it in his books.  I gushed my thanks at how he had changed my way of thinking about organizations. I never expected to hear back from him, but I did - within that very day. 

He wrote, "Thank you very much for your email. It is always very fulfilling to hear that someone values what I have been trying to do. Good luck with your endeavours."

Years later, in 2014 after I had met Ralph a few times in person, I again mustered the courage at dinner to ask him if he even recalled that email.  He did not.  I told him that didn't matter, it wasn't memorable.  But what did matter, I told him, was that it was the first time I had ever written a "celebrity" and I was so nervous and he was so kind and gracious to reply so quickly.

His jaw dropped as he stared at me, agape. "A CELEBRITY?" he gasped.  He burst out laughing and laughing.  "No one's ever called me a 'celebrity' before!" When he finally recovered, Ralph produced a bottle of wine and poured me a glass.  "Here," he said. "Have a glass of wine with this 'celebrity.'" And I did.

Rest in peace, kind Celebrity.