I met Ross Perot only once, but it was a memorable encounter. Perot died today at his home in Dallas.

He’s not featured in this picture, but that is a shot taken at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. I’ve always enjoyed stopping at their media events when a new exhibit arrives.

When the museum first opened, they let reporters come try everything out. Perot was very much focused on early childhood education. The CEO of the museum said Perot was looking for a way to give kids hands-on experience in science and technology. He wanted to be involved in the development, not just stick his name on something. I, meanwhile, got hands-on experience racing a Tyrannosaurus rex.

People who knew him say Perot’s own background in Texarkana led to his focus on early childhood education. There, according to the Associated Press, he delivered newspapers by horseback, which, seeing that now, sounds like the only way to make delivering papers exciting. I bet he had a satchel.

When he became a self-made man, he wanted to make sure kids had access to education so they could succeed.

I met him one day as the museum was getting ready to open. The crew was unpacking the dinosaurs, leading to a warning to watch where we walk, lest we stumble on a Pachyrhinosaurus bone.

I interviewed him just as one of the TV stations was finishing. It was a great interview: Perot didn’t talk in sound bites. He spoke very matter-of-factly, off the cuff and didn’t dumb down his speech.

Afterward, the photographer from the TV station asked what in the world I had asked him.

He said when he left earshot, Perot and I had just started. I had asked something simple, like, “What’s it like to see the finished product?” When the photographer wandered back about five minutes later, he said Perot was going on about neurons and synapses.

“I didn’t ask a single question,” I replied. Perot had just started out by talking about the importance of reaching kids when they’re young. You have to develop those brain cells early and establish connections to get the brain wired for problem-solving and to learn new things.

Probably the fact that I remember all that shows the impact he had.

I lost that heat against the Tyrannosaurus. So maybe part of his legacy is the message that we always need to focus on improving ourselves, whether through education or dinosaur races. The designer of the exhibit did say that’s the only dinosaur race track in the country.

And maybe if I put my mind to it, someday I’ll beat that Tyrannosaurus.