Who are your life inspirations and role models?

I was enormously influenced by the biography of Lee Kuan Yew (Founder of modern Singapore), various Chinese Legalist Philosophers, various ancient Philosophers such as Archytas/Pythagoras, also the founders of modern scientific thinking such as Newton/Descartes. From computational side, I was influenced by Alan Kay/Marvin Minsky and so on. Who have been your life inspirations? Bonus points if you could explain how you came across these people and what lessons you draw from them day to day.