Same here.I didn't know he was already 80.
Many years ago I watched a making-of (or was it director's commentary?) of St. Elmo's Fire and he came across as a caring and good man. I still remember him saying how sorry he felt for the young actors because they got typecast after he directed them in that movie (or seomthing to that extend, it's been a while).I don't think there has ever been anything said poorly about him as a person. Apparently he was an absolute joy to work with and treated everyone with respect.