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Man who inspired the character in ‘Rain Man' has died
KSL-TV ^ | 12/21/09 | KSL

Posted on 12/21/2009 2:30:33 PM PST by Andyman

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah man who inspired Dustin Hoffman's character in the movie "Rain Man" has died.

Kim Peek, 58, collapsed at his home in Salt Lake City on Saturday from what his dad says was a massive heart attack.

Kim couldn't do simple things like turning on a light or dressing himself because the membrane that allows the right and left hemisphere to talk to each other was missing.

Kim was a unique megasavant. He was able to recall most everything he read or heard -- from zip codes to historical events -- and he could do it in seconds.

In an unprecedented study in 2004, NASA scientists began studying Kim's brain, hoping to find out why his recall continued to get better, even though he was aging.

In blog sites now appearing from around the country, people are saying "there never will be another person quite like Kim. His talents were unique and spectacular. And the love and bond between he and his dad Fran was inspirational."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Utah
KEYWORDS: disorders; hollywood; psychology; rainman
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1 posted on 12/21/2009 2:30:34 PM PST by Andyman
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To: Andyman

RIP


2 posted on 12/21/2009 2:31:47 PM PST by kalee (01/20/13 The end of an error.... Obama even worse than Carter.)
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To: Andyman

Sorry to hear it.


3 posted on 12/21/2009 2:36:15 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night! (remember the reason for the season))
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To: Andyman

Kim was INCREDIBLE. A lovely person. This is a great loss to us all.


4 posted on 12/21/2009 2:36:29 PM PST by redhead (Redhead: That's me: Shovel ready, with the bullseye already on my back.)
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To: Andyman
R.I.P.

Kim was an amazing human being.

Video Tribute to Kim Peek

5 posted on 12/21/2009 2:37:13 PM PST by Bon mots
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To: Andyman

6 posted on 12/21/2009 2:39:00 PM PST by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: Andyman

Saw him one time at my undergrad institution, when he was touring. Amazing savant abilities!


7 posted on 12/21/2009 2:41:16 PM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Conservatives unite behind conservative Republicans in the primaries!)
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To: Andyman

Saw him one time at my undergrad institution, when he was touring. Amazing savant abilities!


8 posted on 12/21/2009 2:41:16 PM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Conservatives unite behind conservative Republicans in the primaries!)
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To: Andyman

“KMart sucks!”


9 posted on 12/21/2009 2:46:00 PM PST by Comparative Advantage
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To: Bon mots
R.I.P. Mr. Peek.

Damn, the comments there are appaling, very sad to know there are people like that.

10 posted on 12/21/2009 2:50:41 PM PST by Las Vegas Ron (Harry Reid - Pimp of the US Senate)
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To: Bon mots
R.I.P. Mr. Peek.

Damn, the comments there are appalling, very sad to know there are people like that.

11 posted on 12/21/2009 2:51:01 PM PST by Las Vegas Ron (Harry Reid - Pimp of the US Senate)
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To: Las Vegas Ron
Damn, the comments there are appalling, very sad to know there are people like that.

Youtube is very popular with zoo monkeys. Pay no attention to the imbeciles. Mostly just Obama voters... nothing to worry about until election day.

12 posted on 12/21/2009 2:55:25 PM PST by Bon mots
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To: Andyman

“Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner.”


13 posted on 12/21/2009 2:56:44 PM PST by reagan_fanatic (Socialism is hip until somebody loses a paycheck)
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To: Andyman

Fascinating man. Prayers for his father who will miss him terribly.


14 posted on 12/21/2009 3:01:18 PM PST by originalbuckeye
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To: Bon mots
Youtube is very popular with zoo monkeys.

It's even worse than the DUmp, and that's not an easy accomplishment, wow.

15 posted on 12/21/2009 3:01:41 PM PST by Las Vegas Ron (Harry Reid - Pimp of the US Senate)
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To: Las Vegas Ron
You were saying ...

Damn, the comments there are appalling, very sad to know there are people like that.

Wow! It's amazing! What did that guy do to deserve that? Some people are apparently filled with hate.

A sample of one guy...


Kim Peek, you will not be missed, and may you rot in hell, you fat, ugly, disgusting retard.

Everyone that liked this motherf**ker should join his dead rotting *ss and blow their head off.

You douchebags make me sick. This was a f**kin' retard. Whop de f**king doo!

You should all be ashamed of yourselves.


[ Editied with " ** " on certain words, that I'm sure you can figure out... ]

16 posted on 12/21/2009 3:02:55 PM PST by Star Traveler (At Christmas - remember to keep "Christ" in the One-World Government that we look forward to)
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To: Star Traveler

Very sad, isn’t it?

Merry Christmas, S.T.


17 posted on 12/21/2009 3:11:36 PM PST by Las Vegas Ron (Harry Reid - Pimp of the US Senate)
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To: Star Traveler

Like I said, zoo monkeys and Obama voters.

Not worth repeating or getting upset as that is what the wretched little trolls love the most.


18 posted on 12/21/2009 3:11:55 PM PST by Bon mots
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To: Las Vegas Ron

You too... :-)


19 posted on 12/21/2009 3:12:21 PM PST by Star Traveler (At Christmas - remember to keep "Christ" in the One-World Government that we look forward to)
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To: Andyman

People with autism and people with Ph.D.s seem to have in common that extraordinary intelligence in one way seems almost always to require extreme deficiencies and dysfunction in others.


20 posted on 12/21/2009 3:19:59 PM PST by UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide (IN A SMALL TENT WE JUST STAND CLOSER! * IT'S ISLAM, STUPID! - Islam Delenda Est! - Rumble thee forth)
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