Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. Hematology Division. 721 Huntington Avenue. Boston. Massachusetts 02115 USA

I would like to express sincere thanks on behalf of the Stohlman children and myself to Dr. Rolf Neth for arranging for these memorial lectures and for the privilege of speaking to you briefly about the late Fred Stohlman. As most of you know, Fred and his lovely wife, Bernadette, died tragically on September 8, 1974 when the explosion of a terrorist bomb plunged their plane into the Ionian Sea. This senseless act of violence deprived 4 children of their beloved parents and ruthlessly terminated. at the age of 45, the career of a brilliant investigator and physician. Much has since been published concerning Fred Stohlman's outstanding achievements and I will not dwell on these accomplishments. Rather I would like to recall to you, his friends, associates and fellow scientists, some of the human and endearing traits of this unique individual. Fred was very young when he graduated from Georgetown Medical School, in fact he was only 21 when I first met him as an intern on the 3rd Medical Service (Tufts) at Boston City Hospital. As the staff photograph shows (Fig. I) he did indeed look very boyish and youthful. Following his medical training and 9 years at the National Institute of Health where he worked closely with George Brecher, Fred returned to Boston in 1962 and became Chief of medicine and research at St. Elizabeth's Hospital and professor of medicine at Tufts Medical School. There he built up a staff and trained hematology fellows many who were to become world famous. Some of his staff members are shown in the accompanying photograph (Fig.2). Fred's involvement and concern for his fellow workers and associates was proverbial; his intense interest in discussion of research problems is demonstrated in this photograph (Fig. 3). Among his numerous activities Fred probably enjoyed participation in meetings and symposiums most of all. His expertise as a chairman and his ability in editing proceedings of conferences was universally recognized. He organized meetings which attracted outstanding scientists from all over the world and Fred developed warm and lasting friendships on an international basis. Dr. Stohlman was not only a distinguished scientist and physician, he was also a warm and congenial human being who loved good food, good drink and pleasant companionship. He probably satisfied a life time ambition during an international meeting when he made an impromptu performance as conductor of the Munich Orchestra as shown in this photograph (Fig. 4).

Fig.3

A few months before his death, in June 1974, Fred came to Wilsede. His contributions on that occasion were memorable and he endeared himself to a host of new friends. The following picture ( Fig. 5) depicts typical scenes of that first meeting of the now famous conferences on Modern Trends in Leukemia Research. These photographs epitomize the spirited intensity and the charm of the Wilsede atmosphere. The last picture (Fig. 6) shows Fred Stohlman as I. and I am sure all of you. would like to remember him; smiling. happy and of course. at a meeting. It is particularly appropriate that these lectures. by Donald Pinkel who has done so much for leukemia in childhood and Bob Gallo, as outstanding in the field of viral leukemogenesis.

Fig.6

genesis. are dedicated to his memory. I am sure that somewhere in Heaven Fred Stohlman's spirit is looking down on this gathering and his memory will inspire all of us to a continuing dedication to the high scientific goals he attained during his al1 too brief career.