R.I.P Stephen Hawking who helped elevate Canada's science profile.

Internationally renowned scientist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76 His children say their father passed away peacefully at his home in Cambridge, England Hawking was diagnosed with ALS at age 21, but stunned doctors by living with the normally fatal illness for more than 50 years The British native was best known for his groundbreaking work with black holes and relativity He was the author of several popular science books including "A Brief History of Time" Hawking elevated Canada's profile in the physics community in 2008 when he accepted a research post at the country’s "crown jewel" of theoretical physics study. He took on the title of distinguished research chair at the prestigious Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont. Hawking visited the facility in the summer of 2010 and again in 2012. Hawking said the institute's chosen focus on quantum theory and space-time was close to his heart. Video provided by Wibbitz - EN