Hugh was not just our grandparent’s favorite star in their ABC western shows, or NBC series Search, and even Ten Little Indians. He was a man who reached across generations, inspiring much of our own.

Thanks to Albert Schweitzer, Hugh was motivated to start his non-profit: The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation (also known as HOBY). To date, HOBY has impacted approximately 470,000 youth across the world teaching the fundamentals of leadership and introducing them to open-minded thinking.

HOBY Seminars are held all around the world every spring for high school sophomores. I am a product of a HOBY Seminar and was lucky enough to be a part of the World Leadership Congress in 2014. At this “seminar” students are ripped from their comfort zone and challenged to jump off the deep end. Lifelong love, friendship, and memories are made. HOBY doesn’t teach you what to think, but how to think for yourself. How to better the world with your presence and inspire those around you.

Because of Hugh, I have left my comfort zone and fallen in love with myself and the people around me. I have learned the importance of listening to others and being that shoulder to cry on. I have learned how to help others and make connections. I have learned to love people all across the world and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.

Thanks to Hugh, I am one of 470,000 who know what “Outstanding” truly means. So here’s to him, for entertaining our parents or grandparents and for inspiring an unstoppable generation of youth. Ninety-one years was never spent so beautifully, Rest In Peace Hugh.