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Roy Kupsinel, M.D.
November 19, 1928-
September 10, 2007
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Aaron Russo
February 14, 1943-
August 24, 2007 |
“Dr. Roy,” as he was known by many, was a faithful NHF Life Member, contributing his wonderful articles, as he did in our last issue of Health Freedom News (Summer 2007), entitled “Hypothyroidism.”
Graduating from Tufts University and the University of Miami, Roy interned at Martin Army Hospital and then went on to practice family and emergency medicine in Florida. A physician for forty-eight years, and considered a pioneer in alternative medicine, he finally closed his holistic and preventative care clinic (The Lost Horizon Health Awareness Center) in July 2007.
Roy edited and published Health Consciousness magazine, which was distributed in thirty-two countries. His other passions were photography and magic. As past President of the American Society of Magicians, he often incorporated magic into his speeches and rarely was without his camera as he traveled all over the World teaching.
Roy died of metastic pancreatic cancer at his home, choosing alternative therapies and hospice care at the end.
He was one of those exceptional individuals who contributed back to life more than he ever took. As a physician, magician, and photographer, he helped thousands of patients with his care, humor, and beautiful nature photographs.
The NHF and many, many others will greatly miss this humble and extremely giving man.
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Aaron Russo
February 14, 1943-August 24, 2007
Aaron Russo, fondly called a “tour de force,” was a patriot committed to the freedom movement. He gained notoriety as a filmmaker, and in 1979, he produced The Rose, starring Bette Midler. His films won him an Emmy, a Tony, several Golden Globes, and six Academy Award nominations. Those around him described him as always cheerful, courageous, and a lover of life.
In the 1990s, he became a political activist against globalization, and specifically for individual freedom and the Constitutional rights of Americans, which he promoted through his filmmaking. As Aaron once wrote, "I'm for the freedom of each person. The government is there to serve you; you're not there to serve the government." His libertarian views on National ID cards, NAFTA, government intervention into alternative medicine, and other issues of course caused him to be ostracized from Hollywood as too radical.
In 1996, he made an hour-long video, Aaron Russo's Mad as Hell, which was well received. Ten years later, in 2006, Aaron received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival for his hard-hitting documentary, America: Freedom to Fascism.
He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2001; but with his usual fortitude, he had fought the cancer and it was in remission by 2004, when he sought the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party. He went to Germany for treatment of his cancer but did not finish the treatment due to his heavy political schedule.
In January 2007, Russo announced his full support for U.S. Congressman Ron Paul's 2008 presidential bid.
Aaron was surrounded by his family at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, when he finally succumbed to the cancer he had been fighting for so long. It was a mark of the esteem in which he was held that, among others, Ron Paul spoke at Aaron’s memorial service. This freedom fighter was a man with the fortitude and drive to use his filmmaking and other abilities in order to awaken Americans from the slumber into which they have fallen.
When asked, Aaron had said that after his death he wanted his tombstone to read simply: “Freedom Fighter.” There is so much more that could be written as well there but for the lack of space. Aaron Russo will be greatly missed as well.
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