Died: Bill Jenkins, on Feb. 17 in Charleston, S.C. He was 73.  The cause of death was sarcoidosis. Bill was a former CDC epidemiologist who worked to address racism in health care and had been a champion for the participants in the Tuskegee study. As one acquaintance paid tribute, “…his whole life spoke powerfully for racial justice and healing especially in public health, past and future, and the role we all can play in making that a reality—not by denial but by acknowledgement, however painful, and active repair. Oh, I miss that laugh. . .”

Died: Melinda Moore, on January 17, 2019 of ovarian cancer at age 68 at her home in Darnestown, Maryland. She was a former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and had a career in global health in over 45 countries while employed by CDC, at the Department of Health and Human Services, and at RAND. Her obituary in the Washington Post states “she will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, moral and intellectual leadership, and eternal optimism.”

Died: Gina Pugliese, age 70 on March 4, 2019 of complications from uterine cancer. Gina was an expert on infection control and hospital epidemiology. Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm described her as a pioneer in the field and told the Chicago Tribune that “Gina was one of the most respected colleagues in our business—she was never wrong because of doing her homework to always know the facts.” She most recently served as Vice President of the Safety Institute at Premier Healthcare Alliance.

Died: Paul Godley, 61, of a heart attack, on March 31, 2019 while recovering from a previous heart attack. Godley was adjunct professor of epidemiology at the Gillings School of Public Health. Til Sturmer, chair of the department, called Godley “a major force in medicine and epidemiology whose work made a significant difference in oncology (specifically prostate cancer) and in reducing health disparities”.

Died: Alan Kristal, 66, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center epidemiologist of pancreatic cancer on March 22, 2019. He studied how diet can lower cancer risk. His colleagues paint a vivid picture of him—“he will be especially remembered for being an iconoclast, for having a wicked sense of humor, and for his authenticity,” and “the excellence of Alan Kristal’s science is no accident…It is the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. What a beautiful legacy.”

Died: Sarah Luna, age 31, in a plane crash in Metlakatla Harbor Alaska. She was a senior epidemiologist in the Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and was traveling to the area in partnership with the Diabetes team. The Consortium described her as a person truly committed to the health and well-being of Alaska Native people.

Died: August Hale Vandermer, from hepatic failure earlier this ear in Prince Frederick, Maryland. He was a senior epidemiologist during his career with the US Environmental Protection Agency and had served as EPA's representative in the United Nations Environmental Program.

Died: John Last, age 92 on September 11, 2019. He was professor epidemiology and community medicine at the University of Ottawa beginning in 1969 and Emeritus Professor at the time of his death. He worked in multiple areas of public health and was perhaps best known in epidemiology for his work as the editor of the first four editions of The Dictionary of Epidemiology. He also edited four editions of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and a leader in the development of ethical standards for epidemiology and public health. We always found him to be a cheerful, knowledgeable, and interesting colleague to talk with over the years at multiple epidemiology conferences.

Died: Philip Nasca, suddenly at age 77, on December 6, 2019. He had held numerous positions in his career including Director of Cancer Epidemiology at the New York State Department of Health, and Dean of the University of Albany’s School of Public Health. According to his obituary, he will be especially remembered for creating the Center for Global Health and for the many partnerships that were created and have thrived because of the Center. Friends and colleagues are planning a tribute and a celebration of his life at a future date.