Gerardo Heiss, PhD
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Dr. Gerardo Heiss passed away Saturday, June 12, 2022 after a brief illness.
Gerardo was born in Yugoslavia on May 24, 1942, the son of Karl and Marie Heiss.
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50 Responses to “Gerardo Heiss, PhD”
Jim Pankow
Gerardo was my senior mentor when I arrived at UNC-Chapel Hill as a brand new assistant professor in the late 1990s. I am grateful for his deep support and wise counsel during this time, as I was taking the first steps in a new job and navigating an unfamiliar institution. His confidence in me meant the world to me, especially on those days when I wasn’t feeling so confident in myself. Megan and I greatly appreciate the kindness shown to us by Gerardo and the rest of the CVD Epi group from the minute we arrived in Chapel Hill. As a faculty mentor, his humility, integrity, and commitment to public health and good science are lessons that have stuck with me throughout my career.
Verna Lamar Welch
Jo and Heiss family,
Gerardo was one of a kind and will forever live on in so many of us. I learned so much during our early Saturday morning 1:1; he truly had more faith in me than I in myself. Blessed to have known him.
The Heiss Family
As a family, we are truly overwhelmed with the love and kindness that you all shared with us before, during and after Gerardo’s Remembrance. The notes, the cards, the calls, the emails, the texts, the flowers, the hugs, the tears and all of your love helped us get through the darkest part of our grief. They will also continue to lift us as we go on about our lives without our beloved Gerardo.
We were all blessed beyond measure to have had a man as beautiful and kind as Gerardo. He was this way at home as well. Always helping in the kitchen or gardening or feeding the birds or playing with the kitties. He loved listening to opera and all sorts of classical music. He loved gently rubbing our mothers shoulders. He loved giving us a strong hug. He loved sharing a National Geographic article or some wondrous bit of research about the world. We never saw him angry or argumentative. There was always this sincere calm in our home and he was always there to lend an ear or comfort us. He was a rock of great peace.
So, know that we are the most comforted by your words which convey so beautifully that his spirit will live on in your hearts. And that you will carry his kindness to others and share your knowledge so that this world will truly become a better place. You were all so dearly loved by Gerardo.
With great respect and gratitude,
The Heiss Family
Rongling Li
Dear Jo and family, Gerardo was not only my advisor for my MPH and PhD studies, but also a mentor for my whole career. He was a kind, thoughtful, and humble gentlemen. We as his students and mentees should inherit his characters. One thing I have regretted is that I couldn’t visit him and Jo in Chapel Hill last April because of his illness. He will be remembered by all of us – his students, colleagues, and friends. My sincere condolences to Jo and family.
Rongling Li
Pam Schreiner
I had the good fortunate of working on my doctorate in Epidemiology with Gerardo from 1988-1992 and to have him as a mentor on the CVD T32 from 1992-1994. All of the comments here speak of Gerardo’s brilliance, and that was certainly true. But my memories of him were of his support, his trust, and his ability to make me feel like I could achieve more than I believed I was capable of. He had high expectations, but he also worked as hard, or harder, than his students to help them achieve those goals. Many fond memories of coffee and bagels on weekends, and his tolerance and kindness. I’m so grateful to him for more than I can write here, and I send my sincere condolences to Jo and his family for their loss. He can’t be replaced, but will always be remembered.
Henry Blackburn
Gerardo’s colleagues in Minnesota long ago put him in our “Unsung Heroes” folder: always present and effective, yet quiet and self-deprecating. Best wishes to all at the celebration of his life.
Henry Blackburn
Tamar Lasky
The memorial service for Gerardo was so moving, and stirred so many memories and emotions. Foremost was the sense of fellowship, sharing the same emotions and reactions with so many others, the same loss, and the same desire to continue his legacy.
I came to UNC in 1978, and did not come to study cardiovascular epidemiology, and did not have an immediate opportunity to interact with Gerardo. Although he was only a few years out of his own dissertation, he was already an impressive, dignified force in the department, and I was intimidated by his calmness and brilliance. Through chance, both good and bad, I cycled through two advisors (one left UNC, the second became dean and neither could continue as my dissertation advisor) and Gerardo agreed to be my advisor, even though my topic was in neonatal epidemiology (not even a field at the time!), in a topic removed from his own research interests. I understood what a generous act this was on his part and there are not many academicians who would support a student in this way. In retrospect, I wish that I had been the one to change my focus, and regret that I didn’t. I would have learned so much more, and would have gained so much more. As it was, I gained a lot having the model of Gerardo’s work habits, kindness, integrity, and sincere interest in science, and this has stood me well my entire career.
It was comforting to hear that I share this gratitude with other mentees, some of whom worked with Gerardo more closely and more recently. I was also gratified to hear the memories which were so in line with my own. One of my strongest memories felt too small to mention, but after listening to others, I understand how emblematic if was of Gerardo’s grace and generosity. On the day of my defense I was standing in the hall talking with Gerardo, quite nervous, and I dropped a bunch of papers on the floor. In an instant, he swooped down and picked them all up, waving me away, and assuring me that he was looking out for me. I always remember that act of kindness, so small in many ways, yet outstanding in its sensitivity and naturalness.
Another memory also goes back to my defense. The same day or the next day we were going over the comments given at my defense. We both enjoyed pulling apart the comments and following the threads, and became engrossed in our discussion. At one point, I blurted out, “we’re just pulling apart my study” semi-dismayed, and semi-amused. Gerardo said (in the warmest and most reassuring way), “That is what science is, building a structure, then taking it apart and building a better structure.” I have remembered those words my entire career, and feel so fortunate to have had his guidance and role model in my development.
After yesterday’s memorial I was reminded of my good fortune, and the additional good fortune in being part of a community that appreciated and benefited from Gerardo’s goodness and scientific excellence. I am inspired realizing that I am part of a community that treasures and will perpetuate his legacy. My condolences and appreciation to his family for sharing Gerardo with us.
Cathy Maready
You write so beautifully. Gerardo had your same gift of words. Thank you for being at the remembrance and lifting our family up in spirit. There is a great peace knowing that his love for all of you will be remembered and treasured.
I particularly loved your remembrance of his quote, “ That is what science is, building a structure, then taking it apart and building a better structure.” We can share that knowledge going forward with so many.
Thank you again, Tamar.
Cathy Maready, Gerardo’s step-daughter
Mark Massing
To the Family and Friends of Gerardo,
It is the morning after the moving tribute and celebration of the life of a truly great person, a highly productive scientist, and a best friend, Dr. Gerardo Heiss. I’ve been considering how to write about the substantial impact that Gerardo had in my life, but I could not get started until now. I needed time to process this loss. Our celebration yesterday enabled me to see the many friends and family that Gerardo has touched. This event put things in perspective. My procrastination was due, in part, to the magnitude of the task – the certainty that my writing skills cannot meet the challenge of describing the difference that Gerardo has meant in my life and the lives of so many others. But I will try to create this first and final draft of my personal tribute to Gerardo. I wish he was here to review and redline my work with his always constructive advice.
I first heard Gerardo’s polite, melodic, and encouraging voice in 1994. I was just graduating from Duke University School of Medicine, feeling a bit confused and disappointed, wondering what to do next. The study of medicine was not what I expected. I started this adventure years earlier with no personal exposure or experience with clinical medicine. My working model when starting medical school was that practicing medicine was like the work of Drs. Livingston, Schweitzer, Salk – working directly in the field making huge contributions to patients and the communities they served. But, in my experience at Duke, medicine was looking more like an office job with lots of internal politics, not unlike the career I was leaving in information technology. My wife was a recent graduate of the UNC Department of Biostatistics and she made me aware of the UNC School of Public Health. So, I applied for an MPH at UNC to give me time find myself. Little did I realize that what I thought was medicine was really epidemiology, and epidemiology was what I was meant to do.
All of this led to that fateful day when I received an unsolicited telephone call from a “Dr. Heiss at UNC” to make me aware of a post-doctoral fellowship opportunity in CVD epidemiology. “Who is this man I am speaking with?”, I wondered as Gerardo outlined the opportunities and benefits of the program. Those were the days before Google – the biography and reputation of persons were not instantly available with a few keystrokes. You had to go out and ask. But I did not. There was something about Gerardo that sold me within a few minutes. The next thing I knew, I was filling out the extensive application for an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at UNC School of Public Health. This action was in the top five of the best things I have ever done in my life…
I came to UNC without any high-level academic background or experience. I was very green. I made lots of mistakes. But Gerado and the UNC family he created were always supportive and kind. I had the great honor of having Dr. Tyroler as my advisor. But I worked with Gerardo daily. Gerardo was like the force of gravity – always present, always focusing, consistent and not overwhelming, and irresistible. He kept me from becoming lost in space. He helped me realize the first true home I ever had. And he helped my find my purpose. My father died when he was 46 years old from myocardial infarction after a decade of decline from coronary artery disease. CVD had decimated my family, my childhood, and my home. Gerardo made it possible for me to experience a ‘home’ at UNC and to take action against CVD.
I could write a book about all the great things I have seen Gerado do and what I have learned from him, and maybe I should. But for now, I must summarize the experience of 30 years of working with a great man into a few paragraphs. One time when I was trying to summarize my PhD data for a presentation, Dr. Tyroler advised me, “If you are going to tell a story, tell a good story”. The problem is that, when it comes to Gerardo, there are too many good stories to tell. Where does one begin.
Gerardo was a great teacher, astounding mentor, and honest colleague. But I want to take a moment to acknowledge what he did for me personally. There was a time after my graduation from UNC with a PhD in epidemiology when my personal life was in shambles for reasons due to illness and many of life’s afflictions. Way past the time when I was his student, Gerardo would invite me into his office and together we would sit at the round table under the geese in the corner office at Nations Bank and Gerardo would listen, offer guidance and support on his own time. There was nothing for him to gain from this. He was there with me because of the kind of person he was. These qualities were stated over and over again yesterday. He was brilliant, kind, considerate, passionate, and compassionate. He was superhuman in his generosity and patience.
Gerardo supported me through three years of post-doc funding. He guided me through an MPH and PhD in Epidemiology. And he helped me learn how to be a scientist – how to have an open mind and to think critically – how to write papers, proposals, and give presentations. He helped me position myself professionally and he provided references without reservation. He even helped position me for several very nice professional opportunities at UNC and elsewhere which I was not wise enough to accept. Gerado worked hard for me professionally on my behalf to advance me as a person. For that, I am eternally grateful.
The program that Gerado helped to build at UNC is world class with respect to training CVD epidemiologist. There is no doubt about this. But what must also be stated is that this program went way beyond vocational skills. The UNC School of Public Health and its CVD epidemiology program teaches its students how to be fully human and have compassion for each other, our selves, and the world. As a student, I always felt that Gerardo was our friend, our greatest fan, and the enabler of our success. I used to think he was my special best friend. However, I realize after the tributes yesterday, that I am far from alone in feeling this way. He is the best friend of many.
To Gerardo’s family, thank you! When I think of the time that Gerardo spent with me after hours, offering friendship and support, without once checking his watch or acting like he needed to be elsewhere, I realize that this is time he was not with you. Thank you for sharing him with me. I owe you. It made a huge difference in my life.
I can’t help missing him, my friend, Gerardo. Bless you and thank you!
Cathy Maready
Dear Mark, We share in the same awe, warmth and depth of this service for Gerardo as well. Like you, we did not realize the breadth of his grace to so many lives. For us, he was our friend, nature lover, animal lover, giggle lover and hug master. He listened, he supported and he cherished without fail. Thank you so much for sharing your sentiments. Our family feels the first “lightness” in our hearts since he passed away after hearing all of you speak and write. It is as if he is still living out there in the loving hearts of so many.
Cathy Maready, Gerardo’s stepdaughter.
Manfred Green
Gerardo was my PhD supervisor in the early 1980’s. That was the best thing that could happen to me. What an amazingly inspirational advisor with endless patience and a wonderful friend. As others have mentioned, he was so busy with numerous projects and students, but never too busy to chat and assist with any of your problems. His feedback on draft documents was almost immediate, always with very useful and constructive comments. His impact on my future career was enormous. Another great gift from Gerado was to gain the friendship of his amazing wife, Jo. He will be missed sorely by so many.
Cathy Maready
Dear Manfred, Your name brought a twinkle to my mother’s eyes. I believe we all shared time in Israel many moons ago in Israel. We were staying in Ein Karem while Gerardo worked at Hadassah Hospital. Treasured memories for sure.
Thank you for being a part of our world and sharing your admiration. I know it was mutual from all of us.
Warmly,
Cathy Maready
Jingping Mo
Dear Jo and family,
Gerardo was my mentor for my postdoctoral training at UNC Chapel Hill in 1996-1998. I learned so much from him. He was always kind and very supportive of my career development. I am one of the fortunate people who had an opportunity benefit from his wisdom and generosity. Gerardo will always have a special place in my memory. I am deeply sorry for your (our) loss. Hope you can find comforting knowing that Gerado touched so many people’s life and will be missed immensely.
Cathy Maready
Jingping, We have many notes from you to Gerardo that we have saved in our memory box of Gerardo. You have always been just as kind to Gerardo as he was to you. And yes, we have truly been lifted by this outpouring of the deepest love. Thank you so much, Cathy
Shine Chang
I was a graduate student in the Department of Epidemiology from 1990 to 1995. To me, it was a magical time to be in the department but I didn’t realize this until after I graduated and left. At that time, the department was smaller, intimate almost, and many of the faculty were giants in the field but walking around in the department, they looked and acted like normal people, many of whom invited us to address them by their first names and who knew ours. I got to know Gerardo at seminars and department meetings and retreats and I was touched by how available and kind, respectful and interested he was in me even though I was not part of the tight-knit CVD training and research group and had not yet taken the CVD epid course that he and Al Tyroler offered each year. Over the years, we had a few opportunities to connect, the last time at a memorial service for Dr. Kathy Rose, another dear CVD colleague. Again, I was struck that he would be so warm and welcoming, remembering me as a student and being delighted with my career accomplishments over time. From all the memorials for Gerardo, it is clear that everyone around the world counts themselves lucky to have worked with him, but for those who didn’t have that pleasure, I can tell you that just knowing Gerardo was also an honor and privilege. I continue to be inspired by him, his work, and his messages shared at the memorial today, which was a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary individual.
Cathy Maready
Dear Shine,
You have a perfect name to symbolize the theme of the remembrance on Friday. Gerardo’s kindness was a shining example to all of us in that room. We all were so united in our love for him and our desire to share in his legacy. Thank you for lifting our family with your words of praise.
Cathy Maready
David Strogatz
I first got to know Gerardo in the 1980s during my years of support from the CVD Epidemiology training grant – as a doctoral student and post-doc. He and Al Tyroler were incredibly patient and generous in their guidance, especially in opportunities for learning outside the classroom. Recognizing my social science background and interests, they encouraged me to conduct the analyses and lead the publication on ECG abnormalities and mortality in the Evans County cohort – a lovely way for a sociology major to learn some cardiology, along with regular commentary from Al and Gerardo. Another memory from those days was Gerardo organizing the CVD trainees to assist in preparing sections of the grant application leading to the North Carolina site for the ARIC Study. Gerardo understood the value of applying the knowledge from our coursework into the format of a grant application, and the importance of that opportunity for our young group of trainees.
I cannot finish my Chapel Hill comments without mentioning Jo, who was not only part of the elite CVD research team in the department but was also a wonderful source of advice and assurance to me as a new parent while I was a post-doc and then a junior member of the faculty.
I was doubly fortunate to have an “encore” experience with Gerardo, as we both served on the Observational Study Monitoring Board of CARDIA for many years after I left Chapel Hill. I got to see him each year at the annual meeting of the OSMB, where we caught up on how things were going at work and home, and I also got to witness the calm and gentle manner in which he offered feedback to the investigators – to the great benefit of the study. The enormous respect we always had for Gerardo was equally evident from our colleagues at the CARDIA sites and NHLBI staff. Like many others, I am so grateful for my times with Gerardo and know how much he’ll be missed.
Cathy Maready
Thank you David. So you were with Mother and Gerardo during the punch card days! She is so heartbroken to lose her beloved Gerardo. Of all the marriages that I have seen in this world, theirs was one of pure joy, respect and kindness. It never changed. I never saw them argue or be dismissive. They were true and steadfast in their love for each other. But this service has lifted her spirit and our gratitude for this transformation is immense. We are all indebted to his loved ones.
Thank you for your memories.
Cathy Maready
Ganga Bey
I don’t think it was until after his death that I began to understand the depth and breadth of the impact that Gerardo made on so many people’s lives. I just knew that I must have been one of the most fortunate people in the world to be blessed to be able to call him my mentor. From the moment we met when I visited UNC ahead of deciding on which Postdoc I would accept, I immediately understood that I was dealing with someone who somehow without even knowing me was invested in my well-being. By the end of that conversation, I had decided on UNC. Over the next three years my initial impression of Gerardo from that very first meeting would be confirmed in every way. His willingness to include me in his wide and ever expanding sphere of concern did more for my success than any single thing that I can name. Just a few days before his passing, I was shocked to receive an email from Gerardo requesting that I call him. But I shouldn’t have been, because when had he ever not been willing to extend himself for me, to show me how much he cared? He could barely breathe when we spoke, but when my daughter asked to say hi, he laughed and greeted her by name. Even knowing it was the last time we would speak, he said gently , “I’ll talk to you later.” I am so grateful to have been graced by his mentorship and love. Thank you Jo and family for sharing him with us.
Cathy Maready
Dear Ganga, Yes, those last days were the most trying times of our life. To hear this great man struggle and yet still be so selfless is inspiring to a depth that is deeply spiritual. I know this was a difficult time for you as well. He left us all with so many things to aspire to be and to do.
Thank you immensely for sharing this with us. Cathy Maready
Barbara Thorand
I first meet Gerardo as a MPH student in epidemiology in 1996 at UNC. Later on, I had the privilege to meet him again during the summer schools in Heidelberg and Ulm in Germany. I will always remember Gerardo as an excellent scientist, but most of all as a very kind, respectful and generous person, who was genuinely interested in and always willing to support his students and colleagues and who inspired me a lot as an epidemiologist and mentor.
Cathy Maready
Dear Barbara, My family shares your sentiments exactly. Gerardo was a model for kindness that sustains us in our grief. We must always try to find strength for it despite our struggles. The service that you all gave to us and the sharing of his influence in your lives has been so healing for us. Gerardo’s grand – nephew Michael, left the service with one goal…to be more kind. What a gift.
I am so honored that you shared your experience. Thank you, Cathy
Dr. Michele Forman
I remember walking into the Environmental Epidemiology Training Grant working group for the first time and meeting a tall, fellow named Gerardo Heiss who was to be my ‘peer’ in the training program with Al Tyroler. Although Gerardo was tall, I never felt intimidated by him. Even though he was much older than I and wiser and had an MD, he always welcomed discussion with me (a just out of undergraduate life student at SPH) about my research. We shared many a cup of coffee together as students, and when I returned to Chapel Hill, Gerardo always had time to talk and catch up. What a kind, gentle giant of an epidemiologist. What a special gift for kindness and for understanding. He will be missed. Michele
Cathy Maready
Thank you Michele, Yes, Gerardo was so tall. For our family, he was our protector and was always able to be strong and gentle in the midst of any drama that unfolded in our lives. He could almost wrap. His arms twice around us, so his hugs are deeply missed.
He loved coffee and he loved his students. I do believe that he gained his strength for so much of his goodness through his students. He loved all of you so much. Family dinners often included some sort of praise for a student that had been struggling and had made it through to the other side so well. That was his joy for sure. Thank you for sharing. Know that you have lifted our spirits.
Cathy
Shelly-Ann Love
Dr. Gerardo Heiss was the Salt of the Earth. I first met Gerardo at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Department of Epidemiology Open House when I was a young lady with dreams of becoming an Epidemiologist. During the Open House, I had burning questions, but because I was timid, I hesitated. Gerardo sensed my hesitancy and encouraged me to ask my questions. I met Gerardo again a year later when he interviewed me for an Applications Analyst for the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Three years after working for Gerardo as an Applications Analyst and learning from him, I shared with Gerardo my plans to resign from the position and apply for the Ph.D. at UNC-CH. I thought Gerardo would be disappointed, but he was supportive. Gerardo’s response: You have only one life to live! Go pursue your dreams! With Gerardo’s support and superb mentorship, I was awarded an NIH F31 Fellowship to support my doctoral research and realized my dream of becoming an Epidemiologist. For the 12 years I have known Gerardo, he has shown that he cared for me beyond being a trainee. He cared for my overall well-being and my family. One of my fondest memories of Gerardo is of him playing with my two-year-old son on the floor at a cardiovascular disease epidemiology holiday party. I am blessed to have crossed paths with Gerardo. I love Gerardo. I will miss him forever.
David Jacobs
I met Gerardo in the Lipid Research Clinics project in 1975 or 1976 when I was a junior Assistant Professor and he was a PhD student working with Al Tyroler. Our careers have run in parallel. I always appreciated his brilliant perceptions and work, his mentoring of others, his gentleness and subtle smile. Though I did not work with him on his main studies after the LRC, I always regarded him as a close colleague and friend. I miss him.
Bill Kalsbeek
I had the great pleasure of working with Gerardo on a number of projects in my 36 years in the Dept of Biostatistics. In all instances, he was kind, knowledgeable, and a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed by those with whom he collaborated on his many research studies, I being one of many. Rest in peace, my friend!
Kuni Matsushita
My sincere condolences to Gerardo’s family.
Gerardo was one the kindest person I have ever met. Whenever I saw him at conferences or meetings, he always welcomed me with his signature smile. Whenever I sought his advice, he always tried to help. Whenever I or my advisors shared manuscripts for review, he always gave us constructive and insightful comments.
Gerardo’s dedication to research has set the standard (hard to reach, and thus I probably should say “goal”) in my mind. I feel a hole. There must have been many more things I could have learned from Gerardo. I will deeply miss him.
Cathy Maready (Gerardo's stepdaughter)
Thank you Kuni. A year and a half have gone by and I still lean on your words of praise for him. At times, I read each of these comments to help me give thanks and gratitude for a life so well spent. With love, Cathy and the Heiss Family
Maria Pattany
Gerardo and I worked together for several years in the SOL study. He was an extraordinary person and scholar, incredibly smart and hardworking. However, his most impressive traits were his kindness and humility, I will always remember him for that. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Maria Pattany
Penny Gordon-Larsen
I count myself fortunate among so many colleagues to have been touched by Gerardo’s generosity, integrity, brilliance, and his deep kindness. My favorite moments were our chance encounters at the farmers market and the lovely conversations about family and life. I am also grateful for the wonderful community that Gerardo built not just at UNC, but across the wider scholarly community – Gerardo set the stage and character of our field and his leadership is one of the things that makes our field special. I am so grateful to Gerardo for so much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, all of his many students and colleagues, and his friends from across the world.
Christina Mack
Rest peacefully, Gerardo. I will never forget the kindness and compassion you had for me when I was a grad student with a new baby, trying to take grantwriting with a 1 month old infant. You let me call in to class (in 2010, before anyone was doing that!) and bring the baby to meetings, showing patience when he cried and offering to hold him. You gave me good advice, steered my science, taught methods, and made the process fun. We will always remember your kindness and your brilliance.
Cathy Maready
Thank you Christina, Knowing Gerardo, he probably looked forward to holding that baby. He loved children so much. At home, we still have a coffee table that doubles as a train track for visiting children. Gerardo would get down on the floor and play with all of those that visited and despite his size, they adored him, cuddled with him and hugged him like a teddy bear. Thanks for sharing that sweet story.
Myra Carpenter
Rest peacefully my dear colleague, and know that your wisdom, kindness and patience were greatly appreciated.
Suzanne Simpson
I worked with Dr. Heiss on the ARIC Study from Wake Forest University Health Sciences in Winston-Salem, NC. He always made a point when he was in Winston to come by and see me and ask how I was doing etc. We even had to work on a budget together at one visit and he was so easy going and didn’t get upset about changes that needed to be made. He was such a sweet soul and he will be forever missed by all who knew him. I was so sad to get the news of his passing. He will always be remembered as the kind soul that he was and I really enjoyed getting to know him and work with him. Blessings to his family during this difficult time.
Liz Selvin
I am one of the countless investigators who benefitted throughout my career from Gerardo’s insightful comments and input on abstracts, papers, ancillary studies, grants, and protocols. He will be remembered for his humbleness, his integrity, his intellect, and his tremendous generosity of spirit. My thoughts are with his family as we all mourn the loss of this gentle giant in the field of cardiovascular epidemiology.
Misa Graff
I met Gerardo shortly after I began my postdoc in 2009. He was always kind and gave positive encouragement. He was not my mentor but I learned a lot from him. It felt like he cared about every student; he cared that each one felt seen and important. That care was a gift. I feel so lucky to be among one of the many that was privileged to know him and work with him. My deepest condolences to his family.
Mercedes Carnethon
Gerardo’s passing was tough on me as it was on so many whose lives he touched. I can’t say enough about the impact he had on me as a person and as a scientist. Because it’s not possible for me to aspire to be as brilliant as Gerardo, I instead aspire to master the “softer” yet critically important skills that he displayed in every interaction. Gerardo was unfailingly gracious, thoughtful, supportive and insightful. When I was honored to receive an endowed chair from my institution 4 years ago, I had to select an “extoller”. Even though Gerardo was travelling less frequently for business, he flew out to speak on my behalf. I didn’t realize that was the last time I would see him in person. Like many others, I had come to know that Gerardo was always around and would always be working. I truly had hoped he would be around forever. Thankfully, his legacy lives on in all of his mentees and in the research studies that he had a hand in leading. He will be missed.
David Savitz
I had the privilege of having Gerardo as a colleague for my entire 20 years at UNC, one of only two (Vic Schoenbach being the other) who were there when I arrived as a new assistant professor in 1985 and there when I left in 2005. Most of my engagement with Gerardo was when I became Epidemiology Department Chair in 1996, when I became aware of how vital it was to have the support of senior faculty. Gerardo could not have been more generous, insightful, and effective in every respect. As busy as he was, he was never “too busy” to contribute to the needs of the program, gently undermining claims of colleagues that they did not have enough time to provide service. As complex ethical and logistical issues arose in the graduate program, which he directed when I was Chair, he could always be counted on for a practical, fair solution, artfully balancing the competing demands for high standards of achievement and respecting the needs and capabilities of individual students. He would often hold back before weighing in but when he did, the respect he commanded was compelling. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to be his colleague will always remember his wisdom and kindness.
Marissa Hall
I count myself among the many very fortunate mentees to have had the privilege of working with Gerardo. Gerardo was the co-sponsor of my K01 award along with Barry Popkin. Despite not knowing me well at the time I wrote the K, Gerardo was incredibly generous in offering up his time, support, and smart advice. I always came away from our mentoring meetings filled with gratitude for Gerardo’s kindness, listening ear, encouragement, and calm nature. I aspire to be like Gerardo myself someday and admire his ability to be a prolific and amazing scientist, while also making lots of time to support junior scholars in his field. I will miss him greatly and feel so fortunate to have known him.
Veikko Salomaa
I worked with Gerardo as a visiting scientist at UNC Chapel Hill for the academic year 1991-92 and again in 1997-98. Always had a great respect for Gerardo and his work. Sincerest condolences from me and my family to Jo and to Gerardo’s whole family.
Duanping Liao
I met Gerardo in 1989 as an MPH student in the department of epidemiology at UNC. When I approached Gerardo to ask him to be my PhD advisor in 1991, he kindly agreed without hesitation. Since then, Gerardo mentored me throughout my career and Gerardo and Joe become my family friends. Gerardo was the greatest mentor, friend, and a father figure for me. RIP!
DC Rao
I had the honor and pleasure of working/collaborating with Gerardo starting in the early 1990’s. I enjoyed working closely with him when he was the Chair of the Family Heart Study Steering Committee. I learnt many things from him during those years. One thing I have regretted ever since is a communication I sent to him that was very offensive. The only punishment I received in turn was he telling me “Not to worry at all” with his most unforgettable cheerful signature smile I will never forget. That is the Gerardo I fondly remember and I will always fondly remember. My sincere condolences to Gerardo’s family. – DC (DC Rao, Washington University in St. Louis).
Mary Anthony
I was so incredibly sad to hear of Gerardo’s passing. Gerardo was my primary advisor in my PhD program and I felt so fortunate! He was a wonderful mentor, always asking me questions that made me think more deeply. I loved our meeting times because I always left with some research considerations to chew on. He was incredibly generous with his time and an active listener. I became a much more effective mentor for others because of his example.
Dietrich Rothenbacher
It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the death of Gerardo Heiss. We will remember Gerardo as a great epidemiology promoter in Germany, especially in Ulm. He was instrumental in developing epidemiology in Germany since 1990, when we started with the first symposium, “Methods in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology”, here in Ulm.
The more than 30-year history of the “International Summer School of Epidemiology at Ulm University” is an excellent example of his collaborative spirit to advance the field of epidemiology. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and had the opportunity to learn from and work with him.
He was a genuinely excellent academic teacher, scientist, and a great mentor who taught, continuously supported and guided many epidemiologists on their way. He will be gratefully remembered as a very positive role model. His excellent scientific integrity and outstanding academic achievements have inspired many colleagues who will carry on his mission.
Very sincerely
Dr. Dietrich Rothenbacher (Director of Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Barry Popkin
Dear Jo and family, I met Gerardo soon after i arrived in Chapel hill in 1977. We used to see each other and talk on saturdays as we were among the very few who worked saturday mornings. i would always find him getting coffee and walking to his office while i biked along. We tried to get one grant together that failed early in my learning how to handle the NIH world. He got me involved int eh early SOL project but my area was dropped later so i pulled out of that.
When i started working in Chile and with Chile and also Brazil even earlier we always talked about my experiences. And then when we got major food policies in Chile, we spoke often. Our Chilean trio of doctoral students would meet him and keep him hook to his former country.
We shared several K awardees. Throughout all of our visits, his integrity and care for others stood out. He was a gentlemen scholar and a great person. I will miss him as will so many others.
Barry Popkin
Cathy Maready
Thanks Barry, He was indeed a gentleman scholar and a great person. Thank you for sharing your admiration as even a year and a half later, it still lifts our spirits. He is so missed.
Ebiere Okah
Gerardo was my faculty advisor for the MSCR at UNC. He was a wonderful mentor and a person I admired deeply. Although he was incredibly experienced and accomplished, he took the time to listen to me and advocate on my behalf. He was kind, thoughtful, supportive, and generous in his praise. He was one of the most encouraging mentors I’ve ever had, and I use my experience with him as a template for how I should mentor students. I cannot imagine the loss felt by his family, and I want to let them know that he meant so much to those who knew him, including his mentees.
Cathy Maready (Gerardo's stepdaughter)
Thank you Ebiere. It is through his mentees that we draw so much comfort. We know parts of him are out here in the universe spreading his goodness. We find such gratitude in your love.
Bob Goetze
I first met Gerardo in 2006 when he interviewed me for a position at Epidemiology. It was always a pleasure to work with him.