b'A Great HeroHas PassedBY BRADFORD S. WEEKS, M.D.W henmyI,om- Governors of Americas oldest and niscientmen- most venerable healthcare freedom toranddearorganization, the National Health friendDr.Rich- Federation, before encouraging me ard Kunin, M.D. passed awayto replace him on the boardhuge onFebruary23,2021,andshoes to fill.manyotherpioneeringin- Like Moses, Richard led many tegrativemedicaldoctorsdoctorswhohonoredtheedict aroundtheWorld,feltalossPrimum non Nocere (First, do no that can never be sated. I countharm!) out of careers of uncritical myselfexceedinglyfortunatereverence for the standard of care thatamedicaldoctorwhose(whichamountedtosuboptimal, encyclopedicknowledgeandalbeit lucrative careers) into a more astounding brilliance always surpassed that of anyonehumane career of actually, and effectively, teaching patients elses in his presence, would befriend me when I was butto optimize their health and well-being. Thousands of us, col-a young and curious doctor. And I hope, dear reader, thatleagues and patients alike, are all so grateful for his leadership you may, at times in your life, also experience the pro- and his inspiring example.found empowerment and encouragement when a greatWords fail at this point, but I urge the reader of this strained person welcomes you with heart-felt collegiality. obituary to take to heart my message that brilliant, life-chang-Richards life is inspiring in myriad ways, but his convictioning mentors are out there just waiting for you to simply ask for in his principles is what I consider most astounding. Having at- their help. Go for it! Be brave and ask them to teach and share tained the status, early in his career, of being one of Californiaswith you. Believe methey are out there. And you need to most respected and influential doctors, Richard had the cour- ask for their help today because otherwise, someday, they will age of his convictions such that, upon learning of a more benefi- die, taking away with them encyclopedic knowledge, which cial manner of caring for patients (orthomolecular medicine), hethey would have been happy to share with you. Thank you, wholeheartedly sacrificed his professional status and willinglyRichard, for your courage, your convictions, and your loving, became a champion for integrative, nutritional medicine. Today,generous spirit. thanks in great part to Richards courage and wisdom, integra- The great German scientist and poet, Johann Wolfgang von tive medicine is in the ascendency. Goethe, offers a reassuring perspective, which is a balm for me In medicine, the strategy is often see one, do one, teachin the face of such a wrenching loss:one, and Richard affected that in a glorious manner by found- The thought of death leaves me entirely unmoved; ing the Orthomolecular Health Medicine Society (OHM). Here,for I hold that the human spirit is something eternal, like-minded medical doctors, whose top priority is to optimizesomething not unlike the sun which only seems patient outcomes, share freely and learn how to become betterto set to our mortal eyes while in reality never setting, physicians together. He also served for years on the Board ofbut shining on forever.16 HH ealtHH reedomN ews /ss priNNgg2021ealtF FN ews / pri2021reedomNHF_Spring_2021_5-13-21-FINAL.indd 16 5/13/21 9:54 AM'