Life Course Journey of a True Mensch
H. William (Bill) Schnaper was the Irene Heinz Green & John LaPorte Given Chair in Pediatric Research and Tenured Professor & Vice Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. He was a graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (1967) and received a B.A. from Yale University (1971) and his M.D. from the University of Maryland (1975). He trained in Pediatrics at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and was Chief Resident (1975-78). It was there that he met a nurse named Maria and started a lifelong journey of love and family. He next served in the National Health Service Corps (1978-80) and was a Senior Clinical Instructor in Pediatrics at Hahnemann Medical College (1979-80). He then entered a fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Washington University School of Medicine (1980-82) under the mentorship of Alan Robson and supported by the National Kidney Foundation. He was a Research Fellow in Pathology at the Jewish Hospital of St. Louis under Carl W. Pierce during his training and through 1988. He received an NIH Clinical Investigator Award to examine the soluble immune response suppressor in nephrosis followed by an NIH R01 to examine inhibition of tumor cell growth by the lymphokine SIRS. He rose through the ranks as an Instructor, Assistant, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine before moving to Washington, DC and joining the Faculty at Children’s National and George Washington University in 1990 as an Associate Professor. He also served as a Special Volunteer/Expert in the Laboratory of Developmental Biology at the NIH from 1990-94.
In 1994, Bill joined the Faculty as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School where he advanced to a tenured Professor in 2000. Bill assumed numerous leadership responsibilities including Director of the Fellowship Training Program, of the Research Career, Development and Physician Scientist Program, of the K and TL1 Postdoctoral Awards Programs of Northwestern University’s CTSA, and of the Pediatric Academic Affairs and Child Health Research Center (CHRC) and its Integrated Graduate and Fellowship Programs. As a faculty member Bill was highly academically productive, with more than 170 peer-reviewed publications. He made seminal research contributions related to the immunologic basis and molecular pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome, the role of cell signaling and tubulointerstitial injury in the development of renal fibrosis among other areas. In addition, he served as a mentor for over 60 students and trainees, ranging from high school, undergraduate college, medical school, graduate school, fellowship, post-doctoral training, and junior faculty. Bill served on and chaired more than 20 NIH and other scientific organization grant review committees and certainly facilitated the investigative careers of an entire generation of pediatric nephrologists.
As if these were not enough, Bill served on the Board of Directors of Children’s Memorial Medical Center. He also was Chair of the American Board of Pediatrics, Sub-Board of Pediatric Nephrology, later serving as medical editor for the Sub-Board for many years, work that he continued to do through the late stages of his illness. Along with Bruder Stapleton, Dick Behrman and Ted Sectish, he co-founded the Council of Pediatric Subspecialties. He played important roles in many scholarly publications, including being the Medical Editor of the journal Nephrology and on editorial boards for the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and the American Journal of Physiology (Renal Physiology), as well as being a founding member and the longest member of the Editorial Board of the journal Pediatric Nephrology.
Distinguished service was part of Bill’s DNA, as exemplified by his service to the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) and the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA). He had the longest tenure ever on ASPN Council from 2000-2014 where he was Council Member (2000-04), Secretary-Treasurer (2004-08), President-Elect (2008-10), President (2010-12) and Past-President (2012-14). He was the North American Regional Secretary of IPNA from 2004-08 and Chair of the Scientific Organizing Committee for the 15<sup>th IPNA Congress in New York City in 2010. He was also the organizer of the American Society of Nephrology’s “Why kidneys fail: translating basic mechanisms of disease progression in novel therapies” during Renal Week 2005. He was the recipient of the Jose Strauss M.D. Award for Career Academic Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology and received the ASPN’s highest honor, the Founder’s Award, in 2018.
During Bill’s long tenure on ASPN Council, he was challenged with multiple tasks including working with then President Lisa Satlin to transition the ASPN office to a permanent one with dedicated professional staffing. Along with Sandra Watkins and Sharon Andreoli, he conceptualized and initiated the Corporate Liaison Board (CLB) to strengthen ASPN’s fund raising efforts. Additionally, he heralded both the first ASPN Strategic Planning Initiative and Leadership Development Program along with Joseph Flynn. With Bill Smoyer, Marva Moxey-Mims and others, he also started the ASPN Therapeutics Development Committee. He led an effort to have a Program Project Grant funded for ancillary studies to the NIH FSGS-Clinical Trial with 4 investigators receiving NIH funding. Finally, and most importantly in terms of Bill’s legacy to ASPN, he participated in the founding of the ASPN John E. Lewy Advocacy Scholars Program, for which he became a mentor and nurtured advocacy skills of over two dozen junior pediatric nephrologists, helping to ensure that ASPN will be well-represented on Capitol Hill for the next generation.
Bill’s dedication to pediatric nephrology and academic medicine was only exceeded by his devotion to his family, including his wife Maria, daughter Adrienne, sons Michael and Owen and his seven grandchildren. He coached soccer teams and mentored school science projects. Music was also an important part of Bill’s life. He played a variety of instruments—violin, bass guitar and guitar—and performed in diverse settings such as a band while in college at Yale, his Synagogue choir, a local Klezmer band and singing the lyrics he had written for songs commemorating ASPN’s 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary. He was also a dedicated runner and completed the Chicago marathon.
So much has been said by so many colleagues about Bill and his impact on our field and our community. His remembrance will live on with the H. William Schnaper Honorary Lecture and his wonderful interview on the ASPN’s History Project site. At the end of the Memorial Service for Bill, everyone sang “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and we can only imagine Bill’s smiling face to us all as we said one last goodbye.
So much has been said by so many colleagues about Bill and his impact on our field and our community. As a dear friend and one of the “Tres Amigos” along with Isidro Salusky and Bill, we experienced a true bond of teamanship in making the 2010- IPNA Congress a success. I was so honored along with Larry Greenbaum, to present Bill with the ASPN Founder’s Award especially after he told me to “have no mercy” in roasting him and thus, we did not! His remembrance will live on with the H. William Schnaper Honorary Lecture and his wonderful interview on the ASPN’s History Project site. At the end of the Memorial Service everyone sang “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and I can only imagine Bill’s smiling face to us all as we said one last goodbye.
Although I knew Bill for many years, we became close companions when he joined the IPNA council as member and ASPN representative. Over those years, I was fortunate to closely work with him and learn from his critical thinking on several important IPNA related issues from strategic planning, the journal, Springer and most importantly organizing the IPNA Congress in NY together with Rick Kaskel. We became “los tres amigos” and we shared wonderful feelings over the years. I was able to say goodbye just before he moved to hospice care, it was one of the saddest moments of my life, we cried and we arranged to meet again in our next life. Bill, we will miss you and we love you.
The pediatric nephrology community is small and tight-knit, but even within this family, there are occasional people who stand out as the “best all-around” clinicians, scientists, teachers, mentors, and friends. Without a doubt, Bill was one of those. His attitudes of joyous impishness and well-considered ambition were continuous support systems and visions for me. He founded CoPS and then “made me” build it and run it (and was by my side when our initial successes resulted in powerful pushback and attempts to squash the subspecialty voice). We worked together to strategize our futures with the ABP to find and deliver our best individual strengths to the organization. We schemed to build the Lewy Scholars Program from the ground up where his positivity, willingness to adapt, and mindset of constant change has infused the program with a spirit of continuing education and improvement. We tried and failed to teach each other to say “no”. We explored and shared menus, foreign lands, personal trials and tribulations, career pathways, and the future of pediatric nephrology, ASPN, and pediatric science. His ever-present running shoes embodied energy, comfort, and approachability. I will truly miss them, and him.
Like many others, I was lucky enough to count Bill as a colleague and friend for many years. Pediatric nephrology was made better by his vision, purpose, passion, and good will, whether it be for research, clinical care, scholarly activity, or public advocacy. Such a sad time for all of us as we mourn the passing of Bill Schnapper. But with sadness for me comes happiness that Bill was a pediatric nephrologist, my colleague and friend for so many years. I will remember him as a man of vision, purpose, passion, and good will. He was excellent at research as well as at clinical care. He mentored many. He did much as a leader, Council member and president of the ASPN and also for the Sub Board of the ABP. His many accomplishments for our specialty will always be remembered and were acknowledged when he received the ASPN Founder’s Award a few years ago. He continued to work on ASPN projects to the end, even when he was not feeling well. I admired his courage and determination as he fought through the trials of his illness. Even when things were not going well, he still had an upbeat comment to make. I am sad for his loss, but happy that he is now at peace. Most important to me, Bill will always have been my friend and I will think of him often. He loved family, music, running and pediatric nephrology. He always had a smile and an upbeat comment. He was a master at presenting the case for our patients and our specialty during Capitol Hill days. He was of average height, but a giant in his work for the ASPN and JELF Scholars. We will see reminders of Bill’s work for many years to come—gone, but not to be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
I’ve expressed my sadness on other forums as well, but I wanted to add to the collective mourning and tribute to Bill. I was privileged to know Bill for the past 21 years at Lurie and Northwestern. Not once did I ever hear him lose his temper or utter an unkind word. He was an exemplary doctor, scientist, and human being. He will be missed dearly.
It is with a broken heart and much sadness that I want everyone to know that H William Schnaper (Bill) passed away yesterday after a lengthy illness. He will be remembered for so many wonderful accomplishments scientifically, for his humanity, and for being the epitome of a family man as well. Please add him to your prayers, and for his lovely family members and grand-children as well. Feel free to share your memories of him on our list-serve.
For those who wondered what the H in H. William Schnaper stood for, it was for Humility, Humor, and Honesty. He was a very humble person, deserving in the awards he won and the leadership roles he achieved. Bill always had a ready smile on his face, even after he ran his first marathon and was really hurting. He kept us all honest in clinical care and in research. He taught us by example. Thank you Bill for all the important lessons.
Bill was a person who brought humility and consciousness to Pediatric Nephrology. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear this sad news, and condolences to his family, as well as his colleagues (all of us). Bill was one of my attendings during my intern year at St. Louis Children’s Hospital / Washington University, inspiring us by his kindness and clinical skills. He was a tough act to follow in so many ways, and will be missed.
The passing of our beloved colleague and friend is truly tragic. Over the decades that we interacted, I grew to know Bill as a beloved mentor, teacher and role model to all whose lives he touched. His generosity of spirit was unparalleled, I will sorely miss the spontaneous exchanges we had over the years, always discussing family (especially the grandchildren), careers, science, and opera.
Bill and I never worked in the same institution, but we saw each other regularly (3-4 times a year for many years). Many have already expressed what a mensch Bill was and how committed he was to rigorous inquiry and how strongly he supported research and those who engage in science. Others commented on how he helped young faculty and his keen interest in Pediatric Nephrology here and around the world. Bill did not just talk the talk. He was an effective advocate and sought to innovate to make us as a community better and stronger. He and I used to go for early morning runs, for 2 decades, at just about every ASN and PAS meeting. Time to chat and those always involved a discussion of our families and how they were doing. Bill was truly proud of his family and how much Maria and the family meant to him came across loudly and clearly. I will miss those thoughtful, rationale, but committed discussions. Throughout our careers we will have many colleagues, but few like Bill. That makes his passing all the more difficulty.
Few people inspire a spirit of inquiry and humanism in pretty much everyone they meet and wherever they go. Bill was one of those people- as we are all saying. He bestowed his humble, humorous grace among us and supported more of us than he knew. He was contagious in that way-a great gift and already missed.
Few people are as universally loved and respected as Bill. He was truly amazing. A few years ago, I met the parents of a 30 something young man with cystinosis. There were from St. Louis, where Bill was both a fellow and faculty member for a few years. I asked them if they had interacted with Bill. Their eyes lit up. The mother, with a tear streaming down her face said, Dr. Schnaper saved our son’s life.
I had the privilege of working with Bill on the ABP Sub Board for almost a decade. I learned so much from him-from the practical on how to write a question that doesn’t fail; the “cover test”, to the more philosophical musings on where pediatric nephrology as a field has been and where we are headed. He was such a kind and gentle soul and so very proud of his family. I still remember his absolute joy in sharing an adorable video he had made of one of his grandchildren. I hope his family will find solace in knowing he had such a lasting impact on our field. We have lost a great one.
I was so lucky to have been on the Nephrology Sub-Board with Bill for 7 years. He had this powerful capacity to really see people in a way that made him the selfless human being we all knew. He will be missed.
I have been thinking of Bill with a heavy heart entwined with fond memories. We were friends and colleagues who shared many activities and interests since the early 1980s. The best part of being on an NIH Study Section with him was that we arrived in time to have dinner together every year! So many other opportunities over the years for enriching conversations and good fun. For me he was the epitome of the ideal peer mentor. He was the best of the best without making it look hard because he truly loved everything that he did in life. It was never about himself. Bill has left an indelible mark on our world while touching so many lives. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
Instantly I am missing Bill. I was privileged to learn from him as a John E. Lewy Fund Advocacy (JELF) Scholar of the ASPN. I’ll never forget a particular Congressional Hill visit several years ago in Washington, DC, when I was riding to a legislative visit with Bill, concerned about how we could best make our pitch about securing necessary NIH funding to some particularly “hostile” members of Congress. “Just explain to them that an NIH lab is a small business,” he said, “everybody loves small businesses!” That trick worked every time I’ve used it on a Congressional office since!
Bill believed in me, in my potential as a nephrologist and advocate, in my value as a member of our community and our academy. His belief in me was a model of the kind of belief I aspire to have for others. His zeal for nephrology-whether as a researcher, clinician, or advocate-will be forever immortalized for me in the photograph of Bill along with Sharon Perlman and myself. What a gift to have known him-and a gift to carry on the next leg of the journey. May his memory be a blessing that lives on in us all.
This outpouring of feeling and admiration goes right to the heart of the person Bill was. The fact that he was incredibly bright and talented takes second place to the fact that he was the quintessential mensch (to quote Aviva). He was just a sweet, kind guy who embodied all of the qualities one looks for in a friend. Bill’s passion for science and his sincerity and humility shone through and cemented my career choice when I did a nephrology rotation at Children’s Memorial as a resident. He will truly be missed.
I also worked with Bill at the ABP on the content development team. He was my mentor when I first started writing questions several years back. I can still remember the first response I received from him after he reviewed my first set of questions. He used a word that I had honestly not heard before “compendious” to describe my writing style. I had to look it up to see if he was complimenting me or nicely saying they needed work. He was an amazing mentor and a wonderful person. I learned so much from him (including a few new vocabulary words) and he will be greatly missed.
I am deeply honored and blessed to have known Dr. Schnaper. He was a wonderful man, professor and mentor. May God bless and comfort his family during this difficult period; please accept my sincere condolences.
I am so saddened to read of Bill’s passing. We travelled together during our time on IPNA Council and shared a passion for kidney science, career development and the development of academic medicine. He was funny, generous, extremely capable, considerate, and compassionate. He gave so much of himself to those around him, to his institution, and to the nephrology community. What an unexpected and persona loss.
I can remember so many conversations with Bill over the years, both nephrology-related and personal. He served as a mentor to me for many years, even helping me prepare my application to be editor of Pediatric Nephrology despite the fact that he was in the late stages of his illness. I also remember him as a master strategist when it came to working with others in the field, both at home and abroad. His vision, insights, sense of humor and personal warmth will be missed by all.
Bill was a true friend to me, especially at a time when I needed to feel that I was still part of the pediatric nephrology family, and not a government outsider when I worked at the NIH. He made sure that I always felt included! I remember some of us having an impromptu “excursion” into Argentina for a dinner while attending the 2016 IPNA meeting in Brazil. Bill stayed with me when my Official Government Passport caused a bit of a stir as we crossed the border back into Brazil, vouching for me! I was told that he wrote me an amazing letter of recommendation when I decided to return to academia. But my most amusing recent memory is seeing Bill leave a group of us after a dinner during the 2018 ASN meeting, hopping on a scooter and heading into traffic as we all held our breath! He seemed genuinely touched when I checked on him the next morning to make sure that he had made it safely to his hotel. That is how I will remember Bill – always selflessly showing genuine concern for us, but seemingly surprised when we returned the favor.
This is a sad day for all of us, but likely a blessing for Bill. We are left with many memories of his kindness and enthusiasm. Truly heartbreaking. A brilliant scientist, clinician, educator, leader and a warm, generous human being.
What a loss. I met him when he was a fellow at Wash U when they were recruiting me when I was in the Navy for two years. Really glad we dedicated the lecture and he is aware of it and how much he was respected and admired.
I met Bill first jogging in the mornings at the IPNA 2014 meeting in Adelaide and was so privileged to get to know him even as a little person from the very south of Africa. He truly was a mensch and one of the kindest people who made one feel special. Sending Condolences to his family as well as all his friends and colleagues who feel sad today. Here is to spreading kindness daily in the way that Bill did.
This outpouring of feeling and admiration goes right to the heart of the person Bill was. The fact that he was incredibly bright and talented takes second place to the fact that he was the quintessential mensch ( to quote Aviva). He was just a sweet, kind guy who embodied all of the qualities one looks for in a friend. I was thinking that Bill made such an impact on Pediatric Nephrology, as evidenced by this outpouring of love and respect, that perhaps the ASPN should consider a Bill Schnapper Humanism Award. Now I know that we have lost so many giants in the past few years, and you could name an award after any number of them. But Bill was somewhat different, in that it really was his humanity that defined him.
So sad and he will be missed by all of in the paediatric nephrology fraternity. Had the pleasure of meeting him and he was very supportive and inspiring. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
It is very sad indeed. I share the previous comments about Bill Schnaper. He was a great huan being and academician with a good sense of humor and personally an invaluable and loyal supporter of our “legacy,” the Miami Pediatric Nephrology Seminars. He was Guest Faculty almost every single year and in 2012 received the Jose Strauss Visiting Professor Award. He certainly will be missed by many including myself.
This is such sad news. I was fortunate to have Bill’s guidance and mentorship during my fellowship years. I remember his passion for nephrology, his sense of humour and his excellent teaching. He was a great mentor – He contacted me years after I had returned to India to ask if my training at Northwestern had served me well. However, most of all, I remember his kindness and sense of duty to patient families. He insisted on explaining in detail the disease process, treatment plans and the nuances of decision-making with each child’s family, regardless of their background or unfamiliarity with English. I have carried this important lesson with me ever since. You will be missed, Bill.
When reflecting on my experiences with Bill as a fellow in Chicago, 2 memories come to mind: Of him entangled in the tubing of the old prisma machine trying to “save” a CRRT circuit by recirculating the blood until an infant came back from an emergent imaging procedure. Of him lighting up and exclaiming after I shared the name of my second son, Til (not a common name in the US) – “Oh, like one of my favorite symphonies by Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel; he’s going to be a merry prankster!” A temperament he knew would define my son until this day! As everyone has already reflected, these two memories juxtapose the things that defined him: his ingenious ability to figure things out and his ability to see the soul.
I will miss is every positive and enthusiastic outlook on life and the future of peds nephrology.
He was one of the best. Condolences to his family, children and grandchildren.
The world is a sadder, poorer place without Bill. In reading all these tributes I found myself wishing we had all told him these things while he was still among us, although I think he knew. Pediatric nephrology is a small but wonderful community, and I count myself fortunate (and often amazed) to be a part of this group. Bill was among the best of the best. Peace.
So sad to hear it.. many of us were so fortunate to know Bill. He will be mourned by thousands of people in different parts of the world.
It seems like only yesterday that I was a young fellow, spending hours with Bill in the lab, chatting about Smad proteins or the trials and tribulations of working with mesangial cells in culture. Bill was a great educator, clinician, mentor, and friend. He has left such an imprint on my life, and so many others. He will be truly missed.
It is the rare person who is so widely admired and loved. Those are the descriptors that come readily to describe him. What a brilliant and generous soul. He will be missed far and wide. My particular condolences to his family and to those of you (many) who are most close to him. It’s hard to believe that he’s gone from us.
I am so sad to learn of Bill’s passing. He was such a thoughtful, brilliant, and humble person. I first met Bill as a fellow at one of my first ASPN meetings, new baby in tow. He was so kind, helping me with my baby so that I could take part in some of the sessions. Over the years, I always looked forward to seeing Bill at various conferences and events. He was always so supportive and encouraging. Our community- and the world- have lost a shining light. He will be sincerely missed.
That is sad to hear. I have known Bill during fellowship and later as faculty.I remember the many lively discussions and excitement when talking about TGF and smad signaling pathways , his love for science was only overshadowed by his kindness and humility. It was an honor knowing him and he will be missed.
I’m sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I think we met 30-35 years ago and I liked him at once. He was great to talk with and to be around. I always enjoyed seeing Bill, even if only for a few seconds at ASN. I admired his scientific accomplishments and his achievements on behalf of our community. I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to know him.
I did not have the privilege of working with Bill until I started working at Lurie’s earlier this year by which time he was already quite ill. But his heart shone through despite his inability to be physically present. He reached out often with advice and counsel including a firm admonishment to always put my affiliation as below into every message on this group. He was dearly loved by many here and he leaves a space that cannot be filled. Cheers to Bill and to a life well lived!
I was fortunate to have known Bill and worked with him. He was unique. I hope his family will get to know in full how appreciated he was by all of his colleagues.
Bill’s brilliance was matched only by his humility. A true Mensch. Always happy to provide help and advice regarding science, nephrology, careers, to so many of us – even during his illness. A huge loss for us.
We will never forget the twinkle in his eyes, whether it be discussing TGF-b and mesangial fibrosis, the importance of having good ideas, his family, or the Chicago Bears. He was beyond a mentor and modeled compassion, humanity, and all that is really important in medicine and in life.
Those of us lucky enough to have been in his orbit are now tasked with paying it forward – and bestowing upon others what he gave to us. Thank you Bill, for everything. With great thanks and sadness today.
I am very much saddened by Dr. Schnaper’s passing. I had the privilege of receiving my fellowship training from Dr. Schnaper and his colleagues at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and I learned very much from him.
Bill was the absolute epitome of a “mensch”- the Yiddish term for a good, righteous man. As a fellow, he taught me so much about electrolytes and tubules (you don’t pee sparks!!) but also about being a good doctor, and a good person. II was on call with him the night that his first grandchild has been born. We were stuck at the hospital with a very difficult case but as a final year fellow it was nothing I couldn’t handle on my own. He asked my permission to go to the hospital to be with his daughter and new grandbaby. I was shocked that at a moment when he would very rightly only focus on him and his family he had the kindness to think about me and my needs. That was the kind of person that Bill was- always thinking about others always making sure we were OK.
He also had a knack for making every person feel included, and feel like a friend. At my first IPNA conference I was standing at the side of the dance floor, more out of bewilderment than shyness (most conferences do not have as active a party scene as IPNA) Bill came over to me and before I knew it my two left feet were somehow spinning and swaying and dipping. He just brought everyone into his circle in such a natural, welcoming way- from day one you knew that knowing Bill meant you had someone on your side and a friend for life..
We live on in the memories of those we have loved of course, but as physicians I think we also live on in the work of those we have taught and lives of the children for whom we have cared. Bill will be so very missed by his students and his patients. May we all live his legacy by continuing to care for children with kidney disease and advance the field as he did. May his memory be for a blessing.
This is really devastating. We have lost an iconic figure. Bill was a great teacher, mentor and role model for me and I believe for others in our small but collegial Peds Nephrology Family. Just last week at the Sub-Board meeting, we sent an e- get-well card to him. We actually got a “typical Bill” response back. This was just November 12!!!!. May his gentle soul continue to Rest in Peace and may the Lord continue to be with all his loved ones. Adieu Bill, we all love you and thank you for your service to our community.
I will miss Bill so much. Just recently we were texting and remembering our last bbq gathering at his house backyard. “Yep. Those were the days” were his last words he texted me. Bill was a great mentor, educator, and advisor, over the 2 years period i spent as a fellow at his fibrosis research labs. May your soul Rest In Peace Bill.
Such tragic news. He was brilliant, funny, supportive. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the whole pediatric nephrology community.
Bill was incredibly kind and generous to me with his time and advice. I particularly enjoyed many humorous conversations with him in Miami at the annual Pediatric Nephrology conference. He was a key member of a small group of established pediatric nephrologists across the U.S. whose advice and belief in me helped my transition from a fellow with enthusiasm and energy (and not much else) to where I am today. I will miss him a lot. May his memory be a blessing.
I echo everyone’s comments. What I found unusually impressive about Bill was exhibited during his time on ASPN Council and as President. As a transformational leader in basic science research, I underestimated Bill is his passion and desire to learn about the clinical, regulatory and advocacy need of the patients we serve. Simply amazing. And, Bill begrudgingly and but with his typical humility took on the role of the honest broker in the work of Kidney Patch, to accelerate clinical trials of drugs and devices for children with CKD or ESKD. A true giant in our field who would never view himself in that way.
This is sad news indeed. Bill was a major intellectual force during the yearly Miami Pediatric Nephrology Seminars originally chaired by Jose Strauss, always eager to share his vast knowledge and critical thinking sprinkled with a unique sense of humor. He will be missed and remembered for his invaluable contributions.
So sad and he will be missed by all of us. His academic contribution, mentorship and humanity will be with us always. I have personally interacted and discussed my own career interest with him and always find him helpful, friendly and great mentor. We will miss him always.