Tribute to Robert A. Good
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Tribute to Robert A. Good St Petersburg Flordia, June 2, 2003 Edmond Yunis
Published online: 17 May 2007 Ó Humana Press Inc. 2007
In 1994 we celebrated 50 years of his life in science. From a podium like this I said: ‘‘When I was young we walked through the wooded fields near the tall trees close to the night, when the loon sang distant songs. Other times when was cold the winter evenings with the bright snow and the moon giving certain blue taint showed lights covering the ground. But, it was at dawn when often we shared precious moments of excitement and inquiry; new questions and the challenge for answers. We have all been there and again we are here, a gathering of the young and not so young with binding forces like chains. Today, we celebrate his life one half a century, a triumph. A natural contingency, a miraculous chance.
Presented at the First Robert A Good Society Symposium, St. Petersburg, FL 2006. E. Yunis (&) Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binny st, Boston, MA 02115, USA e-mail: [email protected]
Immunol Res (2007) 38:288–291
Time, many years passed and our feelings are unchanged. If I should live once more I should like to come across your path face to face as we did more than 35 years ago (now 44). And, I will see again your smile to follow your example to be matched. And we will stretch our hands across the sea to seek a happy moment, a continuing wish while our innermost will move in space and hope. Fifty years and more will come and, when we meet again we shall look at the sea, and the warm breeze near our faces with invisible birds above, will fly together unfinished trips beyond shadows and winds. Bob once told me: ‘do not fear to climb mountains because the air above is thin and a few can remain’’. The temple of knowledge is not inside but at the door (Adapted from Goethe). Then I asked, ‘Why should a man walk long distances to begin anew? I stopped him, thought he needed a rest. Responded, ‘I hold this torch while burning, it is mine to keep. Why to slow down when there is much ahead? Life goes on and so does this burning as I continue my hunting of dreams, and at new dawns will see the lights of past days and new lights. I will build new castles and new lanterns and will look for new days. But, at times like today I will look back to observe plains, valleys and mountains, my kin, and many that were with me and will always remain at my side. My job is not finished yet and I fear it will never be. Moments like today can fuel the light that maintain our goal!’
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Our hearts trembled and our bindings are strong with links untouched. You know those sounds, that voice, his voice, our voice, our moments of joy as we share today everything contained in the words friendship and love. Then a toast to Robert, the scientist our friend, the teacher and the physician.
Eulogy to Robert A. Good We will go through life, death will come and will be left under the ground, inert without feelings, without voice, as statue braking in pieces that will become a
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