Dr Harry Rozmiarek
It is with deep sadness that we have to announce the passing of Dr Harry Rozmiarek, ICLAS Secretary General, last Saturday 15 June, shortly before he was to attend the PRIM&R Board meeting in Boston.
This news has come as a great shock as only 4 days before Harry had attended an ICLAS Governing Board meeting where he was speaking enthusiastically about continuing to develop ICLAS and other LAS projects.
Harry had a very long and illustrious career in which he demonstrated a commitment to advancing LAS in a variety of fields: teaching, training, education and research in various positions ranging from his service in the US army, a veterinarian of the USA president to being a university professor.
He also had a particular interest in developing Laboratory Animal Science at an international level, as demonstrated by his time as Adjunct Professor, Shanghai Society for Biomedical Research from 2002-2007, as Co Chair of the ICLAS Americas Regional Committee (2007 -2011) and his position as Secretary General of ICLAS from 2011.
Harry will also be remembered because wherever he served, he tried to bring people together in an unassuming manner and with a genuine desire to help promote LAS. Recently, for example, Harry was developing an international training program with the aim of enabling laboratory animal scientists from Latin America to receive hands-on training in research institutions in the United States. Moreover, in hisposition as ICLAS Secretary General, Harry played a key role in assisting ICLAS to increase activities at a local and regional level, to increase ICLAS membership, and to help in the global development of laboratory animal science.
In 2012, Dr Rozmiarek's long and valuable contribution to the advancement of LAS was recognisedwhen he won the AAALAC International Ben Cohen Award after 40 years of contribution to this association.
Dr Harry Rozmiarekwill be sorely missed not only because of his energy and contribution to developing ICLAS, but also for his personal qualities of kindness and generosity, particularly in helping others to develop their interests and careers.