Claude Thibeault, MD

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AThe best hope of solving all our problems
lies in harnessing the diversity, the energy
and the creativity of all our people.@

In order to continue to fulfill the objectives of the Academy, to make the Academy a strong truly Ainternational@ fraternity of aerospace medicine expertise, we must continue to encourage and assist our deserving eminent international colleagues to join our ranks.

Therefore, as Academicians, let us stretch our horizons, and do our best to assist our deserving colleagues from countries who do not enjoy a large membership in the Academy, to achieve membership. Let us strive to meet one of our AObjectives@ of the Academy, and that is: ATo provide an international source of recognized expertise in all areas of aviation and space medicine@.

See you in Reno.

George Y. Takahashi, MD

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WARM MEMORIES OF RIO DE JANEIRO

The 49^th International Congress of Aviation & Space Medicine held in beautiful Rio de Janeiro is now history, but warm glowing memories remain in those who were fortunate to attend. Warmest congratulations and gratitude are extended to Dr. Marco Antonio Montenegro, the President of the Organizing Committee, and everyone who worked so hard to make the Congress such a success. Three hundred and seventy-two participants, along with fifty-two Accompanying Persons, representing forty-three countries officially registered at the Congress.

The Congress began with a very warm welcome, as every registrant was met at the airport by a representative of the Organizing Committee and taken to their respective hotels. This kind and generous gesture was very much appreciated by the registrants as it is so confusing arriving at a strange airport in the morning after a long overnight flight, tired, not able to speak the language, and trying to deal with an unfamiliar monetary system. To be greeted by someone representing the Congress, and to be taken to the hotel was a great comfort indeed. It must have been a horrendous task meeting all those flights over several days, but it was very much appreciated.

After registration the Congress began with a Welcome Party on the Sunday night at the Naval College. Along with a beautiful buffet of delicious food, a very generous bar service and lively music, the evening gave everyone attending a wonderful opportunity to meet each other and get the Congress off to a great start.

On Monday morning, after the Opening Ceremonies, the Allard Lecture was delivered by Major-Brigadier Venâncio Grossi. After the Lecture he was presented with an Academy Medal by President Claude Thibeault. After the Opening Ceremonies, and a short coffee break, the Scientific Sessions were underway. A total of seventy-two papers were presented, along with twenty-two posters. A variety of topical papers were presented by speakers from twenty-nine different countries. The Auditorium was spacious with excellent audio-visual facilities. Simultaneous translation into English, French and Portugese gave all attendees the opportunity to participate in question and answer sessions. A copy of the Abstracts may be available through the President of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Marco Montenegro.

On Monday evening, attendees and their guests were treated to a wonderful evening of musical talent by the Brazilian Navy=s Symphonic Band. It was a very enjoyable musical concert of classical, popular and native Brazilian music.

The Academy Dinner was a gala affair, held at the Rio Orthon Palace Hotel, on Copacabana Beach. The splendid dinner accompanied by fine Brazilian wine was absolutely delicious. Members and their guests were entertained by a lively Brazilian band and a very talented singer. During the evening the following new Academicians were presented with their certificates and Academy Medals: Cmder. Andrew Bellenkes, USA; Dr. David J. Flower, UK; Dr. Jennifer Gegg, UK; Lt.Gen. Ricardo Germano, Brazil; Dr. Paul Ledoux, France; Dr. José Luiz Madrigrano, Brazil; Dr. Hugh O=Neill, Canada. The Medal and Certificate for Dr. Roberto da Motta Teixeira, Brazil, was presented to his widow, Mrs. Teixeira, as Dr. Roberto da Motta Teixeira unfortunately passed away in August, just prior to the Congress. Although Dr. Teixeira was elected to the Academy in 1998, as he lived in Rio de Janeiro, he was planning to have his Medal presented in his native Brazil.

The following Academicians who were not present at the Dinner will receive their Special certificates by mail:
Dr. Burt Rowen, 39 years; Dr. Clyde H. Kratochvil, 35 years; Dr. J.P. Pollard, 35 years;
Dr. Antonio Castelo-Branco, 33 years; Dr. Luis G. Amezcua, 32 years; Dr. Israel Glazer, 31 years;
Dr. Richard Y.H. Lee, 31 years; Dr. Stanley R. Mohler, 31 years; Dr. Benjamin Kallner, 29 years;
Dr. Spurgeon H. Neel, Jr., 29 years; Dr Charles E. Billings, 27 years; Dr. Won Chuel Kay, 25 years.
(Dr. Won Chuel Kay passed away in his 25^th year as an active Member)

The Air Force Day was a very enjoyable day visit to Parque dos Afonsos Brazilian Air Force Base on Wednesday. The visit to the Museum was very enjoyable and educational. While we were visiting the history library, a staff member was showing us some of their textbooks in Aviation Medicine, including a textbook written by Professor Maurice Strumza from France. At that very moment, Professor Strumza, a Member of the Academy for 39 years, at the age of 93 was standing right there in front of the staff member. Professor Strumza got out his pen and signed his textbook for the library. It was a very exciting moment for the library staff and everyone present. Then Professor Roy DeHart, also an Academician, was standing there when his textbook AFundamentals of Aerospace Medicine@ was shown. He also signed his book. It was pointed out that the Introduction in the book was written by Dr. Charles Berry, who was also there, and so he signed in the book. Dr. Silvio Finkelstein was the author of the chapter on AInternational Medicine@, and so he also signed the book. It was a very exciting morning for all of us and the library staff as they met the authors in person. The day ended with a visit to the Corcovado, with a breath-taking view of the lights of the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro in the early evening.

The Farewell Dinner got off to a slow start as there appeared to be a shortage of buses due to the heavy evening traffic in Rio, but once we got to the Naval Officers Club - Piraquê, we were all impressed by the choice of location, with the beautiful view of the lagoon and the city. The Atransfer of the trumpet@ ceremony was augmented this year by Dr. Hans Hafner, who brought with him the Swiss horn, which made the ceremony more memorable. The music, the food, and the generous bar service kept everyone happy until the last bus which left after two am. It was a very successful conclusion to a great and memorable Congress and the warm hospitality of the people of Brazil.

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SPOTLIGHT ON A MEMBER

Editor=s Note: In the Academy we are constantly surrounded by greatness. Many of our members are true pioneers in aviation and space medicine-- men and women who have bravely led us into unknown spheres, and now, thanks to their efforts, we take for granted the knowledge that we have today. We in the Academy are very privileged to know many of our heroes, not only as colleagues, but as very good friends. Often, we are not even aware of the many accomplishments and contributions made by our fellow Academicians who may be sitting next to you during a meeting. Therefore, as a small tribute to our many great Academicians, the Newsletter will ASpotlight@ on a deserving Member from time to time. There is no official order to the selection, but will be at random, depending upon the availability of background information.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to the Space Program, Dr. White has been awarded many honours too numerous to mention here. Some of his awards include the Melbourne W. Boynton Award for Space Medical Research(American Astronautical Society), the Louis Bauer Founders Award (ASMA), Citation of Honor ( Air Force Association), Hubertus Strughold Award (Space Medicine Branch, ASMA) , Theodore C. Lyster Award (ASMA), and the W. Randolph Lovelace Award (NASA Flight Surgeons, ASMA). In addition to many military awards, Dr. White has also been recognized by his community in 1962 when he was awarded the Governor=s Award, State of Ohio, and the Citizen of the Year, Chamber of Commerce, Lebanon, Ohio. Dr. White has had many papers published, too numerous to list here. He also has served in executive positions of many professional organizations, including President of the Space and Underwater Medicine Section of the Pan-American Medical Association, as well as President of the Aerospace Medical Association in 1981-2. He is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine as well as the Aerospace Medical Association. Dr. White retired in 1997, and now resides in Satellite Beach Florida, with his charming wife Helene, who faithfully accompanies him to the various meetings such as the Aerospace Medical Association, and the Academy=s Congresses. Amongst his many contributions to the Academy, one of his most important contributions was during the period of unrest within the Academy involving the revisions to the Constitution and By-Laws. Shortly after the 1992 Congress, when President Silvio Finkelstein became ill, Dr. White moved from 1^st Vice-President to Acting President, after which he served his normal two year term as President from 1993-95. Under his quiet and efficient leadership, the Academy set its future course on a steady path to be able to continue to meet the objectives laid down by our founding Members.

In Rio de Janeiro, Dr. White was awarded a Special Certificate by the Academy in recognition of his thirty-one years of Active Membership. And yet, in spite of all his major contributions to the field of aerospace medicine, AStan@, as he is known to most of us, remains, as always, the quiet, smiling approachable gentleman- a true Academician.

Dr. White receives his Special Certificate from President Claude Thibeault at the Academy Dinner in Rio de Janeiro.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

The Academy extends a warm welcome to the seven new Members that were elected to the Academy by the Selector=s Committee on September 17, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro.

2. John S. Crowley, MD, MPH (USA), Member-
-Director, Aircrew Protection Division, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL.
- Aerospace Medicine Residency, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, TX
-Board Certified in Aerospace Medicine
- Research Flight Surgeon, Chief, Crew Life Support Branch, Chief, Aeromedical Factors Branch,
          US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, 1991-95
- Research Exchange Officer, Centre for Human Sciences, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Farnborough, UK,
          1995-98
-President, US Army Aviation Medical Association
-Member, Aerospace Medicine Examination Subcommittee, American Board of Preventive Medicine
-Associate Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
-US Army Representative to The Technical Cooperative Panel, Human Factors in Aviation Environments

7. Frederick E. Tilton, MD, MPH (USA), Member
- Deputy Federal Air Surgeon, FAA
- Corporate Medical Director, Boeing Company, Seattle, WA, 1991-99
- Regional Medical Director, Boeing Company, Wichita, KS, 1988-91
- United States Air Force: 1962-1988
             F-15 pilot/physician, Chief of Flight Medicine, instructor pilot, senior aerospace medicine specialist
- B.S. Engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
- Board Certified in Aerospace Medicine 1980, Occupational Medicine 1991
- Fellow, Aerospace Medical Association
- Fellow, American College of Preventive Medicine
- Commercial Pilot Licence: airplane, single & multi-engine land, instrument-rated.

Space does not permit listing all the professional qualifications of the above-named highly qualified new Members. Please welcome them into the Academy and find out more about them by meeting them at the first opportunity. To the new Members, please accept apologies from the Editor for any important omissions in the very short above summaries of your many years of work and dedication in your distinguished career paths.


WELCOME TO NEW CORPORATE MEMBERS

The Academy is proud to extend a warm welcome to two new Corporate Members:

1. AIR CANADA
2. WYLE LABORATORIES

SPECIAL THANKS FROM THE ACADEMY

In case you have forgotten it is: <www.iaasm.org> . Please visit from time to time and send any comments or suggestions to Dr. Michael Berry: <DOCMikeB@aol.com>

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS

1. Ulf Balldin, MD., PhD., Dr.h.c.

Our first Vice-President, Dr. Ulf Balldin, has had a busy year collecting awards in his native Sweden during the year 2000.In July, 2000, he was awarded the silver Thulin medal by the Swedish Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Stockholm. The Medal was awarded for his research in the physiological effects of high G-loads on fighter pilots, resulting in the development of the Tactical Flight Combat Suit system used in the SAAB-built fighter aircraft Gripen, in service with the Swedish Air Force. Then in November 2000, Dr. Balldin was honoured by the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences, which was established in 1796 with King Carl XVI Gustav as patron. The award , including the Academy=s Medal in Silver was presented to Dr. Balldin, by the President of the Academy, at the annual meeting and Banquet which was held in the Karlberg Castle in Stockholm.. The Medal, AIngenio et Fortitudine@ (Ingenuity and Fortitude) was awarded for Dr. Balldin=s life-long dedication to aviation medicine and the development of the Tactical Flight Combat Suite for the Gripen aircraft.

In 1991, Dr. Balldin was made a permanent Academician of this Academy which honoured him.

Dr. Balldin was recently appointed Senior Scientist in Aerospace Medicine with Wyle Laboratories, Inc. In this position he will continue to work for USAF at Brooks AFB, Texas, in his field of acceleration and hypobaric physiology research.

Congratulations, Ulf !

Dr. Melchor Antuñano, was promoted to Director of the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, on January 14^th, 2001. In his new role , Dr. Antuñano will be directly responsible for the administration of the FAA Office of Aviation Medicine=s programs in Aeromedical Certification, Aeromedical Education, Aeromedical Research, and Occupational Health Services.

After completing post-graduate training in Aviation Medicine at the Mexican Government=s National Center of Aviation Medicine in Mexico City, Dr. Antuñano graduated from the Residency Program in Aerospace Medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He was then awarded a post-doctoral research fellowship by the US National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, San Antonio, Texas.

Since he joined the FAA in 1992, Dr. Antuñano has served, until his present promotion, as the Manager of the Aeromedical Education Division of the FAA Office of Aviation Medicine=s Civil Aeromedical Institute. Dr. Antuñano is a Fellow and Vice-President of the Aerospace Medical Association, Past President of the Ibero-American Association of Aerospace Medicine, President-elect of the Space Medicine Branch, Charter Member of the Human Factors Association, and is currently serving as a member of the Selectors Committee of the Academy.

Congratulations, Melchor!

 

The Proxy Authorization Form is included in this Newsletter. If any Member will not be attending the Academy Meetings in Reno, please fill out and sign the Proxy Authorization Form, and ensure that it reaches the Secretary-General=s office by April 28 ^th, 2001. Please remember that your Proxy is counted to establish a quorum, and you may also instruct your Representative on how you wish to vote on an issue. It is surprising how many Proxies are received in the Secretary-General=s office after the meetings are over. Unfortunately these late Proxies cannot be placed in the official count. Many Members have also named as their representative someone who is not attending the meetings. Therefore, please confirm with your chosen representative that they are planning to attend the meeting.

 

Please note that the 2001 Annual Dues has been increased to $US 75.00, as passed by the Executive Council in Houston, May 2000, and ratified by the General Assembly. In order to assist the operation of the Secretary-General=s office, it would be very much appreciated if each Member would look after the matter and forward payment as soon as possible. When Members put aside the Statement of Account, to be dealt with at a later date, that later date turns into months, and the requirement to send out reminders adds to the workload of the office, and adds to the postage costs of the Academy. Therefore, please forward your Annual Dues payment while it is still fresh in your mind. Prompt payment will be very much appreciated.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

AVIATION MEDICINE-IN SEARCH OF ITS IDENTITY

My good friend Gabor Hardicsay originated the motivation for today=s presentation. Within the magnificent Congress he organized last year in Budapest, two topics amongst the many interesting papers given caught my attention: one was a panel discussion on Preventive vs. Regulatory Aviation Medicine and the other was on the subject of East-West relationships given by Dr. Charles Berry at the luncheon.

Regulatory vs. Preventive-two words, which kept me thinking! All in all and worried about the puzzle of trying to define contemporary aviation medicine, I decided to do a little bit of retrospective detective work, in order to assess the specialty=s identity throughout its evolution.

Every year one fifth of the world=s population travels by air on scheduled flights with an optimum level of safety compared to other means of mass transportation. Aircraft carry inside three types of populations deserving the attention of aviation medicine experts: flight crew, cabin crew and passengers.

I like to stress the point that aviation medicine has made a 180-degree turn. Initially medical examiners were supposed to be detectives for potentially disqualifying conditions and permanently ground persons not meeting the standards. Nowadays the main concept is to Akeep them flying@. At the risk of being repetitive, I wish to stress the point that I consider grounding an indication of a medical failure.

I will stick my neck out and suggest that we should make the distinction of the main specialty=s responsibility by dividing it into crew and passengers. Since the main difference between medicine and aviation medicine is related to the fact that the first one deals with sick people in a normal, quasi-healthy environment while the latter deals mostly with healthy and not so healthy people in an abnormal environment, I will venture new definitions related to terms of references.

It is a fascinating medical discipline and while we continue to search for its true identity, let=s not forget the major objective was, is, and will always be SAFETY!!

IN  MEMORIAM

Dr. Alesssandro POLIZZI di SORRENTINO passed away on 14 October, 1998. He was born in Sardinia, Italy in 1905, into a family of nobility (marquis). He spent his entire medical career in the Italian Air Force, reaching the highest rank of Lt.General, as the Surgeon General, Italian Air Force, in the 1970's.

Dr. POLIZZI after receiving his M.D., specialised in Medical Radiology, and also became a respected Radiologist in the civilian medical community. During his career he discovered and described a particular finding in gastro-esophageal radiography, which became known as the APOLIZZI sign@ in the European medical dictionaries.

During his career, he was the editor of the Italian ARivista di Medicina Aeronautica e Spaziale@, a publication which was well known internationally. For many years Dr. POLIZZI was the Vice-President of the Italian Society of Aviation and Space Medicine@, and was an Academician since 1971.

(Kindly submitted by Lt.Gen(ret=d) Professor Gaetano ROTONDO)

Colonel Prof. Stanislaw Ludwik Baranski suddenly died on 17th of March 2000. He was fully engaged in scientific work at the Polish Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw for over 40 years. As Commander-in-Chief, he led the Institute for almost 25 years, closely co-operating with leading scientific Institutions in Poland and abroad in the area of aviation and space medicine.

Prof. Stanislaw Ludwik Baranski was born on 28th of August 1927 in Rubiezewicze in Nowogród county. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical Academy in 1952. He started scientific and didactic work as a student in 1950, and worked as a young assistant at the Department of Histology and Embryology in Warsaw. In 1952 he was called up to military service and served at the Polish Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw from 1953 until 1994. Between 1952-1955 he worked as senior assistant in the Hematology Laboratory of Central Aero-Medical Board (CA-MB), and between 1956 and 1959 as assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Hematology at the Military Institute of Scientific Research and Experimental Aviation Medicine. He served as vice head of the Aviation and Experimental Pathology Center between 1960-1968. Between 1968 and 1970 he was the vice Commander-in-chief for scientific affairs. From 1970 to 1994 he served as Commander-in-chief of the Polish Institute of Aviation Medicine. He gained his PhD degree in 1961 at the Medical Academy in Warsaw for research on influence of radioactive isotopes on the central nervous system during high altitude hypoxia. In 1967 he become an assistant professor in histology after presenting a thesis entitled "Research on the Biological Effects of Microwave Influence.@ He became a full professor in 1977. Prof. Stanislaw Baranski retired in 1994, but remained scientifically active at the Institute as a consultant and Editor-in-Chief of "Reviews of Aviation Medicine". He published a total of 230 articles including 120 scientific research papers, 83 review articles. He authored and co-authored 20 books. From his work, 52 articles were published in foreign journals.

Prof. Baranski's scientific activity covered primarily problems associated with aviation and space physiology; cytophysiology of connective tissue, and issues connected with didactics and methodology in medicine. He was preoccupied with the influence of organic factors occurring at high altitude and space flights. This involved hypoxia, changes of barometric pressure, vibrations, changes in gravitation, ionized radiation, and selected aspects of space medicine. Other research subjects included pilots and cosmonaut biorhythmic changes, influence of weightlessness condition and microwaves on the organism, and rules of protection against harmful influences on the human organism. He was active in several Polish and foreign scientific societies. He was a member of: Polish Anatomical Society; Polish Physiological Society; Vice-President of the International Medical Academy of Aviation and Space; President of the Board of Delegates of the Polish Space Society; member of International Medical Academy of Aviation since 1965; correspondent member of the International Space Academy; member of the Committee for Research and Peaceful Usage of Space; President of the Biology and Space Medicine Commission of Space Research Committee at the Polish Academy of Sciences, and member of the Physiological Science Committee at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

In recognition of Prof. Stanislaw Ludwik Baranski's merits in creating, developing, promoting Polish science, aviation and space medicine on an international scale, and also for his outstanding input in advancing military medical services, in June 1998 the Scientific Board of the Polish Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw advanced a motion to the Senate of Military Medicine Academy to grant Prof. Stanislaw Ludwik Baranski a honorary doctorate. The dignity of Prof. Stanislaw Ludwik Baranski was obtained on 27th November 1999 during the solemn session of the Senate of Military Medicine Academy in Lodz.

Dr. Arne Frykholm, Sweden

Dr. Arne Frykholm, Sweden, a pioneer in aviation medicine in Sweden, died at the age of 83 in June 2000. He grew up in a missionary family in South India, but moved later on to Sweden. After high school graduation he was trained as a fighter pilot in a Swedish Air Force unit participating in the Finnish Winter-War against Russia. After graduation as medical doctor and training at different Swedish hospitals he served at the Swedish National Church=s missionary hospital in South Rhodesia for 3 years. Upon return to Sweden he was asked to and joined the Swedish Air Force as a pilot-physician. He was trained in aviation medicine in USAF and RAF and was made Chief Medical Officer of the Swedish Air Force (AF). After 20 years in the Swedish AF he served as Chief Medical Officer in the Swedish Board of Civil Aviation and later as Chief Medical Officer in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada for 5 years. When Dr. Frykholm joined the Swedish Air Force, the development of aviation medicine activities had just started in Sweden through an Aviation and Naval Medical Board with Arne Frykholm as a member. SAAB had just started production of fighter aircraft for the Swedish Air Force, which the company is continuing today. Three aviation medicine laboratories were created at different universities in Sweden for work related to aviation medicine problems and development of flight equipment for pilots. He cooperated with these laboratories with great enthusiasm, and with his flight experience, he could direct the research to solve relevant problems, such as the development of oxygen systems and pressure cabins, flight suits for protection against hypoxia during high altitude and for G-protection during high G-loads. He was very active in the development of a

flight suit system with positive pressure breathing for flying at very high altitudes. The suit was tested at the RAF IAM in Farnborough, with Dr. Frykholm as the first subject during a successful very rapid decompression to 24 000 m (70 000ft) altitude. He also took part in the biotechnological development of cabin equipment and instruments and displays in the fighter aircraft SAAB developed for the Swedish Air Force. His ability to create and maintain international contacts was very fruitful and helpful in the development of Swedish aviation medicine.

Dr. Frykholm was very active in aircraft accident investigations for the Swedish Air Force. He organized yearly meetings for the cooperation between pilots and physicians in the Swedish Air Force, and organized courses in aviation physiology and medicine for physicians. He initiated the formation of a Nordic Society of Aviation Medicine and also organized an International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine in Stockholm in 1957. As an Academician in the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine since 1973, he was still very active in the organization of the 39^th ICASM in Stockholm 1991. During his activities in civil aviation medicine he made significant contributions to both the Swedish Board of Civil Aviation and to ICAO. In ICAO he developed new medical requirements and regulations for pilots. These were implemented and ratified internationally, which was a major contribution to ICAO, which provided the foundation for further development of the requirements and regulations which we have today.

Dr. Frykholm was a very active, sympathetic and easy-going person, where bureaucratic procedures were kept at a minimum. Music was very important for him as well as for his whole family, and he actively played the violin in a string quartet and in a symphony orchestra for many years. He could even play the trumpet and the bag pipe. Sailing was also one of his hobbies and he was still sailing his sailboat in the archipelago around Stockholm or in the Baltic Sea well into his senior years.

He is survived by his wife Karin and their children. All his many friends will miss him, but we will always remember his warm friendly attitude and his enthusiasm.

Dr. George Kidera peacefully left this world Saturday, December 23, 2000 at the age of 87. Prior to his retirement and move to San Mateo, he was employed by United Air Lines as Vice President and Director of Medical Services. After obtaining his MD from the University of Illinois in 1937, Dr. Kidera joined the Medical Department of United Airlines, and was appointed Director of Medical Services in 1949. He served as Flight Surgeon, USAF (MC) , during 1942-46 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He also was a medical consultant to NASA, as well as such companies as Quaker Oats, Dart-Kraft, and Premark International. Dr. Kidera was highly respected in the airline and aerospace industry, through his many contributions to aviation safety. He was a Fellow and served as President of the Aerospace Medical Association in 1960-61, President of the Airlines Medical Directors Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. He also served as Chancellor of the Academy from 1972-77, and during his term made many significant changes to the procedures, many of which are followed to this day. Dr. Kidera also served as 1^st Vice-President of the Academy from 1977-79. During his illustrious career, he was a very active member of the International Air Transport Association, the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Chicago Medical Association, and the American Medical Writers Association, contributing numerous articles to professional journals. Dr. Kidera was the recipient of many international and domestic awards , including the Edwards Award (ASMA) in 1961, and the Theodore C. Lyster Award (ASMA) in 1970. Those who had the pleasure of knowing George, not only appreciated his energy and dedication in his professional work, but also his great wit and sense of humour.

With his red coat, straw hat, bow tie, and walking stick, he was well known on the Peninsula as the M.C. for ASeniors in Show Biz@, a group that has appeared at the San Mateo County Fair and Floral Fiesta, as well as for the numerous groups throughout the area. He also appeared in character roles in productions of the Performing Arts Academy.

Dr. Kidera leaves his wife of twenty-five years, the former Jean Allen, two children of his late wife, the former Marie A. Cuchna, Peter (Barbara Sieling), and Kristina (John Epstein). He also leaves four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren, all residents of Illinois.

His charisma, vivacious personality, big heart, humour and wit will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. George was truly a unique individual. At his request, there were no services held. Contributions may be made to your favourite charity or the American Heart Association.

ROBERTO CARVALHO DA MOTTA TEIXEIRA

The only son of a teacher and a lieutenant in the Brazilian Army, Roberto was born on October 27th, in 1931, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. He belonged to a family of military people; on his father=s side, his grandfather had been an officer in the National Guard and farther back, there was a general, his ancestor, who belonged to the Emperor=s Guard. His sword, where one can read " Hail the Emperor ", was kept by Roberto with care and pride. Being member of such a family, his natural tendency was to follow a military career himself.

He started his studies in a public school, finished Preliminary, and then went to a Catholic school, San Jose School, were he was taught the rigid principles of discipline and faith by the priests, named Mary=s brothers. After graduation from Senior High School, San Jose, he naturally headed for a military career. Nevertheless he did not succeed. His mother was afraid of aviation, the career that he had chosen, and therefore, respectful to her concerns, he resigned. He then took Medicine as a second option and entered the School of Medicine of the Brazilian University. Once graduated, he decided to follow his natural inclination and applied for the Air Force. During the Adaptation Course he first met Aerospace Medicine and fell in love with it. At this same time he married a beautiful young girl, Maria Dulce, his first love of adolescence, and was faithful to both loves until his death.

He served at several Bases throughout Brazil, and several years at the Aviation Academy where the young pilots-to-be became his friends and took him as confessor chiefly due to his welcoming and warm manner, and also because they all shared the same ideals. In the USAF he completed the Advanced Aerospace Medicine Course and the Physiological Training Instructor Course.

He planned the Center of Specialized Instruction in Rio, after the moving of the Academy to São Paulo. This time, as he said , not to form the pilots, 'but angels" who would help the pilots to fly, - the Flight Surgeons.

In 1984 he stopped teaching and started his Commands, first the Hospital of the Air Force in Rio Grande do Sul, then the General Hospital of the Air Force in Brasilia, the nation=s capital. He was then already a general officer, a Brigadier. In 1993 he was promoted to Major Brigadier, and became the Air Force Health Services Commander until 1995 when he retired. He was awarded all the decorations and commendations an officer can receive in one=s life. He was also Senior Flight Surgeon of the USAF, an honour he cherished the most. His last and largest masterpiece was the IFISAL, the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, left to his followers.

He passed away on 30th of July, 2000, survived by his beloved wife, Maria Dulce, and four children, two of them also in the military.

Roberto=s moral and intellectual qualities made him a born leader. His firm scientific education plus enormous modesty attracted the admiration and respect of his superiors as well of his subordinates, colleagues and friends. In addition to his many talents, Roberto was an author and a talented artist. Amongst his many publications, he authored a book on the Brazilian Air Force=s Aviation Health Services, 1941 to 1995, 54 Years of Service. Also, during his many lectures in Aerospace Medicine, Roberto would use his own drawings and illustrations to demonstrate a point. He was truly a man of many talents.

Major Brigadier Doctor Roberto Carvalho da Motta Teixeira was the propeller of the development of the Aerospace Medicine in the Brazilian Air Force. When he was The Health Service Commander he opened the Aerospace Medicine Specialized Course to the Physicians of the Commercial Airlines, all of them civilians.

Major Brigadier Doctor Roberto Carvalho da Motta Teixeira's death was a great loss to Aerospace Medicine in Brazil, its brightest star. I lost one of my best friends, Master and inspiring idol. Nature lost one of its greatest creations and needs to rest about two hundred years to produce another.

                                                   -Thomas Campbell-