Lately, for rather inexplicable reasons, I have been thinking a lot about a few of my close colleagues and friends who we have lost over the years. While there are many who have passed who had a big impact on our lives, I would like to delve into three people just a little.
Reinhard Kandolf, an exquisite research virologist, with whom I spent sabbatical time in 1989-1990, passed on several months ago. Reinhard and I developed a wonderful collaboration after our first time together in Martinsried, and had many opportunities for social and scientific exchange. Reinhard was a quiet man. He was a stalwart friend. He had a sense of humour that was subtle but hilarious. He was kind and considerate. He was especially kind to my mother when she ventured to Germany with us for one the the great myocarditis conferences those folks hosted. But perhaps the one activity with Reinhard that I remember as so enjoyable was walking in the forest near the Max Planck where we worked. Those many walks brought good conversation about our science, but especially relaxation and fresh air. The forests were filled with tall pines but with wide walking trails. Those walks will always be among the highlights of our first winter working together. Thanks Reinhard.
A few years before I met Reinhard at an inflammatory heart disease meeting in southern Germany, I met David Purtilo in Omaha, Nebraska. Indeed, David was trying to recruit me there into a faculty position. David and I had been ships passing in the night in Boston, but had never met. When I arrived in Omaha for my first visit, I learned of one of the various trademarks of David’s generosity. He always had his guests stay at their lovely home in the oak forest by the Missouri River just north of Omaha. It was a spacious, airy home where one immediately felt at home. But the signature activity there in the forest was running several miles with David before we went to work. David relished the challenge of a good run and he seemed to view it as a stress test for his visitors. If one could run in the forest, then the intensity of the day ahead melted away. Thanks David for those moments running. I always have liked to run, but running with you was in a class of its own. Your early departure from this part of the journey left us many more miles to run in a time and place to be determined. Rest in peace!
Over the past dozen years, I have had the pleasure of really coming to know Daniel Salomon. Dan was an extraordinarily versatile and creative clinician scientist. His spirit drove a team of scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs and trainees to higher levels of knowledge and solution-seeking for patients with solid organ transplants. Dan helped to build a great collaboration with our team in Vancouver. We spent many great meetings and evenings together, never forgetting to make time for laughter, great cuisine and even better wine. But, the most stellar memory for me was the day that Dan took to me one of his scared and precious places, the waves off the coast of La Jolla, to surf. Yes, Dan took me surfing, a pastime that he pursued with friends and his son in the USA and Mexico. On the waves, Dan was very nimble and agile. He put up with my novice state as I did my best to gain footing on the board in those strong waves. If Dan were still with us, I am certain that we would hit the surf again and again. Having been a person who learned to ski late, to scuba late, and to golf late, learning to surf late made entire sense, particularly with such a fine teacher and friend like Dan. Dan, I miss the waves with you.
I think these reflections on walking and running in the forest and catching a wave are a mirror to my soul. Friends like Reinhard, David and Dan are with me forever.