There were some extremely sad deaths to note tonight. I know, I know – a USC kicker died. But more importantly, the inventor of instant noodles bid farewell to this world:

TOKYO РMomofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles — a dish that has sustained American college students for decades — has died. He was 96.

Nissin Food Products Co., the company Ando founded, said on its Web site that he died Friday after suffering a heart attack.

Born in Taiwan, Ando founded his company in 1948 from a humble family operation. Faced with food shortages in post-World War II Japan, Ando thought a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses.

In 1958, his “Chicken Ramen” ‚Äî the first instant noodle ‚Äî was introduced after many trials. Following its success, the company added other products, such as the “Cup Noodle” in 1971.

“The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum” opened in 1999 in Ikeda City in western Japan commemorating his inventions.

I think anyone who has made it through college owes their survival and nourishment to this man. May he rest in peace.

Photo by Quasamime