I can definitely say I wouldn't be sitting where I am -- a software engineer, professionally for 27 years, but tinkering with programming for much more than that -- had I not started by learning BASIC on my PC Jr. (I still have fond memories of this cartridge [1])!
It was such a fun and easy language to start out with (around 10 years old). I had no idea at the time that it would lead me to where I am today. I can't imagine the number of people that have been influenced by him and BASIC.
Thank you, Dr. Kurtz.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_PCjr#/media/File:IBM_PC_Jr...
