Prepare for life as if you're going to live forever. Live each day as if it's your very last.
-- John Wooden

That's one of my favorite quotes, from a great man. It also happens to embody the spirit and passion for learning of MHirschey.

MHirschey was a highly respected contributor to The Motley Fool community who recently passed away from cancer at the young age of 59. As a business school professor at the University of Kansas, he was known for taking his students on annual trips to meet with Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway. He spent better than 30 years studying both Berkshire Hathaway the organization and Buffett the leader. Clearly, his contributions went far beyond the virtual borders of Fool.com.

MHirschey, you will be missed. I guess I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for taking time out to educate, amuse, and enrich your fellow community members. Thank you for bringing a sense of individuality and unique thinking to investing problems. Thank you for demonstrating how civil and open debate can lead to better decisions.

In celebration of your contributions to our Foolish community, I would like to highlight some of your most enjoyed posts. Cheers!

Donations to the Mark Hirschey Scholarship may be made through KU Endowment's website or by contacting Shari Mohr, KU Endowment, at 888-653-6111.

Buck Hartzell owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway and sends his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of MHirschey.

Berkshire Hathaway is a Motley Fool Inside Value and a Motley Fool Stock Advisor selection. Wal-Mart is an Inside Value pick. The Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.