Writing My Obituary With ChatGPT 3.5

 Well, it's a test obituary, with a projected death date, but it works well.

I had to feed ChatGPT 3.5 the useful information - it would be like filling out a form at the funeral home with personal information about the deceased.

1)  Here is what I "fed" ChatGPT (I anonymized my descendants names):

Write an obituary for: Name: Randall Jeffrey "Randy" Seaver Birth: 23 October 1943 National City, CA Parents: Frederick Walton and Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver Death: 24 October 2043 Chula Vista, CA; cause - a Geneagasm, in his genealogy cave Spouse: Linda Joan (Leland) Seaver born 1942 in San Francisco Marriage: 21 March 1970 Chula Vista CA Children: LLH, TJL Grandchildren: LRH, LSH, LOL, ASL and CDL, and numerous great-grandchildren. Member of: Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, Rohr Geezer Engineer Club, International Radio Club of America, Chula Vista Genealogical Society, San Diego Genealogical Society, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, FamilySearch, American Ancestors, Facebook, X, Truth Education: Brooklyn Elementary 1955, Theodore Roosevelt Junior High 1958, San Diego High School 1961, San Diego State University 1966 with BS in Aerospace Engineering Employment: Rohr Industries, 1967-2002, as Aerodynamicist, Group Engineer, Chief Aero-Thermo Engineer, Staff Engineer; Professional Genealogist (researcher, teacher, speaker, blogger) Hobbies: Stamp Collecting, Coin Collecting, Medium Wave DXing, Genealogy and Family History Research (since 1988), with 13 Mayflower passengers, several colonial governors, and ancestors back to Charlemagne, King Alfred and William the Conqueror. Interests: Family, San Diego Padres baseball (since 1953), San Diego Chargers football (since 1960), SDSU football and basketball, Science, Engineering, History, Geography, Politics, Travel Accomplishments: Several jet engine thrust reverser patents, a large Ancestry Member Tree with over 105,000 profiles and sources, published numerous eBooks on his ancestors, published daily Genea-Musings blog since 2006, published CVGS newsletter since 2009, hosted genealogy research meetings since 2003, on Zoom since 2020, friend to all, enemy of none Famous sayings: IBIWISI - I'll Believe It When I See It; WGASA - Who Gives a Sh!t Anyway; Pobody's Nerfect; It's Always in the Last Place You Look.

2)  And here is what ChatGPT 3.5 wrote:

3) The text of the obituary:

Randall Jeffrey "Randy" Seaver, a distinguished figure born on October 23, 1943, in National City, CA, breathed his last on October 24, 2043, in Chula Vista, CA. He departed from this world experiencing what can only be described as a fitting end for a man deeply passionate about his pursuits—succumbing to a Geneagasm in his cherished genealogy cave. Randy was the beloved son of Frederick Walton and Betty Virginia (Carringer) Seaver.

On March 21, 1970, Randy embarked on a lifelong journey with his soulmate, Linda Joan (Leland) Seaver, who survives him. Their union brought forth a legacy of love and family, carried on by their devoted daughters, LLH and TJL, and a constellation of grandchildren, including LRH, LSH, LOL, ASL, CDL, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Randy's educational path saw him traverse through Brooklyn Elementary in 1955, Theodore Roosevelt Junior High in 1958, and San Diego High School in 1961. His thirst for knowledge led him to San Diego State University, where he graduated in 1966 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering.

Professionally, Randy left an indelible mark at Rohr Industries from 1967 to 2002, contributing as an Aerodynamicist, Group Engineer, Chief Aero-Thermo Engineer, and Staff Engineer. His professional journey, however, was only one facet of his multifaceted life. Randy's deep passion for genealogy evolved into a second career as a Professional Genealogist, where he excelled as a researcher, teacher, speaker, and blogger.

Randy's genealogical pursuits were extraordinary, tracing his roots back to 13 Mayflower passengers, several colonial governors, and ancestors reaching as far back as Charlemagne, King Alfred, and William the Conqueror. His commitment to preserving familial legacies was evident in his Ancestry Member Tree, boasting over 105,000 profiles and sources.

In addition to his professional and genealogical achievements, Randy was a stalwart member of various organizations, including Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, Rohr Geezer Engineer Club, International Radio Club of America, Chula Vista Genealogical Society, and the San Diego Genealogical Society. His online presence extended to platforms such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, FamilySearch, American Ancestors, Facebook, X, and Truth.

A true renaissance man, Randy's interests spanned from stamp and coin collecting to Medium Wave DXing. His love for genealogy and family history research, ignited in 1988, was complemented by an unwavering dedication to his favorite sports teams—the San Diego Padres, San Diego Chargers, and SDSU football and basketball.

Randy's list of accomplishments is extensive, from his patents in jet engine thrust reversers to his daily Genea-Musings blog since 2006 and the publication of numerous eBooks on his ancestors. He served as the editor of the CVGS newsletter since 2009 and hosted genealogy research meetings since 2003, seamlessly transitioning to Zoom in 2020.

Known for his friendly demeanor and memorable sayings, including "IBIWISI - I'll Believe it When I See It," "WGASA - Who Gives a Sh!t Anyway," "Pobody's Nerfect," and "It's Always in the Last Place You Look," Randy Seaver was a friend to all and an enemy of none.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, let us celebrate the life of Randy Seaver—a man whose intellectual curiosity, passion for family, and kindness touched the lives of many. Though he may have left this world, Randy's spirit lives on through the stories he uncovered, the wisdom he shared, and the enduring impact he had on those fortunate enough to know him.

4) Drat, it left out some of the important (to me) details. I forgot my two brothers and thousands of close and DNA cousins. Oh well.

This took all of 30 minutes to plan and execute. The actual obituary took less than 15 seconds to write. And it's a lot more flowery than this retired engineer could do. I wonder how much it would cost to publish it in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper?

I hope my daughters and grandkids save this somewhere just in case something happens to me before I reach 100 years and one day.

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