Did he encourage you do be you ?

Are you You because of him, maybe not, because its impossible to grade.

But here you are paying respect to a man that you met, so I would say: he had an impact on you. Even at that moment.

We could play highschool politics and as what you learnt from him.

But from your message it's clear.

I never met him personally, but I certainly felt his impact.

RIP