Conservative icon William F. Buckley, Jr., has died. Mr. Buckley was 82 years old, vigorous and involved in the world that he nearly single-handedly saved from collectivism. He is mourned, by me among millions, as one of the foundational figures of the modern age. Mr. Buckley famously announced his intention to stand athwart history yelling “Stop!” - and he did so with genius and aplomb, in one way or another, for a career of more than six decades.

I will leave it to others to detail the astonishing list of deeds and accomplishments that make up the public aspect of Mr. Buckley’s life (my friend David writes of his effectiveness, for one). In my own life, I found him to be a personal inspiration - a living example of the potential for living a life of the mind and spirit, and enjoying oneself greatly in the process, even in the face of an often vitriolic opposition. (Among my friends to the left, I am already hearing murmurs and mild slanders, albeit among a healthy outpouring of respect for a great American.)

But Mr. Buckley wouldn’t have been bothered by any of that, and neither should we be. He lived a vitally full and rich life, and he may have advanced his agenda, through purely peaceful means, reason, and argument, more than any other figure in recent history. He has given every conservative a solid structure on which to stand.

For the remainder of Western history, there will be no conservative accomplishment or success that does not in some fashion benefit from the work that William F. Buckley, Jr., performed in his tenure on this planet.

His family can take pride in that; the rest of us will be enjoying the benefits of it for the rest of our lives. God bless you, Mr. Buckley, and Godspeed.

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Bob Hayes is a blogger and writer.