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| Professor Rick Speare at the AMRRIC tenth anniversary conference. This is how I remember him - funny, friendly and always collaborating. |
Some people are just too amazing. Rick Speare believed in
the concept of “one health” so much that he qualified as a veterinarian AND a
medical doctor. I met him as a first year veterinary student and he was an
absolutely humble, incredible person you just want to be when you grow up.
On Sunday June 5, when most of us were home getting ready
for the week, Rick was travelling to do some teaching. In an incident which
remains the subject of ongoing investigation, he was killed when his car
collided with another. It’s hard to bear thinking about.
Emeritus Professor Speare, or Dr Dr Dr Speare as some
liked to call him, was passionate about One Health and what it means. He cared
for people and animals, and felt vets could play a bigger role helping humans. And he was always laughing or smiling, just such a positive force despite the serious issues he dealt with.
His funeral is this week. Instead of flowers, his family
are requesting donations to the Rick Speare Memorial Fund (I cannot believe I
am typing that) to continue important work for the Atoifi Research Group in theSolomons.
On a lighter note, veterinarian, writer and now up and coming blogger Dr
Sophie Constable wrote this fantastic piece comparing two of humankind’s
besties: books and dogs. Both are dog-eared after all…you can read her post here.
