'Rain Man' Dies At 58

[Steve James]

Kim Peek may have been the world's most famous savant. Dustin Hoffman portrayed a character based on Peek in the 1988 film Rain Man, which triggered hundreds of news stories and documentaries about the man with "islands of remarkable abilities in a sea of disabilities," as scientists described him.

According to his father, Peek suffered a heart attack Saturday at his home in Murray, Utah. He was 58.

Kim Peek couldn't operate a light switch or button his shirt. But his memory was so vast and deep and exact, he was compared to a computer. In fact, some called him "Kim-puter."

R.I.P.

[Michael]

Light switches require operation now? Maybe I need training.

[JAB]

Thats too bad. I have to believe he is in a much better place though. RIP.

[internalenthusiast]

RIP

[Doc Stier]

Kim Peek

An amazing talent!

May he find a place of brightness and beauty where the just repose in peace.

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Light switches require operation now? Maybe I need training.

You don't know the ways of the orthodox observation of sabbath?

Light switch operation is work!

[Michael]

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Also, you don't roll on that day, or so I hear.

[shawnsegler]

[Bär]

I've seen a documentary on him - fascinating.

BTW he had real trouble with his hands.

[Dmitri]

Wow, fascinating! I didn't know anything about the man...

At the age of 16 months Kim taught himself to read children's books. When he was three he consulted a dictionary to clarify the meaning of the word "confidential"; it was then that his parents realised that he could also read newspapers.

(source)

RIP