Professor John Fitzpatrick 1948-2014

Professor John Fitzpatrick 1948-2014

A Life in the Fast Lane

Wednesday morning, the 14^th May 2014, John M Fitzpatrick passed away aged 65. He left this life the way he lived it, in the fast lane. Taken ill at home in his own gym, where he was honing his fitness with his personal trainer, he was rushed by ambulance to hospital, where he died within hours from a massive subarachnoid haemorrhage. This blog in the BJUI, the journal he edited, championed and loved so very much, is a celebration of his life, and an opportunity for those who knew him to post their own special memory of him, and to contribute a tribute to one of the truly great international characters of urology.

John’s career was an illustrious one. He trained in Dublin, and then in London, where for a time he lived in a house in fashionable Chelsea, just off the King’s Road. He worked with the “greats” of British urology: John Wickham, Richard Turner-Warwick and John Blandy and was always positive and enthusiastic about his time at the famous St Peter’s Hospitals and the Institute of Urology.

Returning to his beloved Dublin, in 1986, aged 38, he successfully applied for the post of Professor of Surgery and proceeded to build up an outstanding department of urology and latterly, with the assistance of the exceptional Bill Watson, created a quite outstanding research unit. He was most proud of his international standing as possibly the world’s best-known urologist (apologies to Dr Patrick Walsh!). He certainly was the most travelled, clocking up untold millions of Air Miles in his favourite seat 2A in the British Airways First Class cabin, and a welcome guest wherever he arrived.

Things, as Richard Turner-Warwick was fond of saying, don’t just happen; they have to be made to happen. Among other things, John did sterling work in helping Bill Hendry and myself to create The Urology Foundation (TUF) in 1994, by negotiating £250,000 grants from BAUS and the BJUI. He did a magnificent job as Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Trustee and Patron to help us create a thriving charity. TUF continues to do amazing work to support training and research in urology in the UK and Ireland. He adored being President of BAUS, St Peter’s medal winner and visiting professor in almost 100 academic institutions in North America.

I have too many positive memories of John to regale you with here. Climbing Kilimajaro (he never tired of reminding me that he summited well before me and often gave me the best rock climbing tips which I seem to always forget), trekking in Nepal (Richard Macaire Memorial Trek), cycling in Sicily, Malawi and Madagasgar. John was always “up for it”. Another boast of his was that he never misjudged people, but everywhere he went he made friends, took interest in everyone he met and communicated in his own unique, eloquent and quintessentially Irish style.

Sadly, none of us had the opportunity to say goodbye to John. He slipped away from this life, just as he did from so many international meetings, a little early, anxious to move on to the next challenge. My own particular farewell was a few weeks ago at a dinner at the famous and historic Vintner’s Hall in London, at a TUF dinner, where John was in his element talking to Jane MacQuitty, wine correspondent of the Times, about the merits and demerits of a variety of fine wines. With a strange prescience, he told me as he left for the airport the next day that he had enjoyed every moment of his life as a surgeon, scientist and communicator, and that always he really loved the very special world of urology.

Like me, John loved Shakespeare, so I will finish this blog with an apposite quote from the Bard:

His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “this was a man!”

When comes such another?

Farewell loyal friend Fitzy, we will miss you so badly.

Roger Kirby, The Prostate Centre, London

An interview with John M. Fitzpatrick
BJUI December 2012; Volume 110, Issue 11

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[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’ Prokar Dasgupta – May 16, 2014

So many fond memories of one of my heroes.

He was on my Professorial interview panel and asked me very tricky questions. Some of them were impossible to answer at the time but now bring a smile to my face.
He literally helped me down Mount Etna on an ultra difficult trip to Sicily. Afterwards he showed me a rather embarrassing photograph of me asleep on the slopes of this mountain. I hadn’t even realised that I had dozed off.

Most of all I remember having breakfast at BAUS for a smooth handover of the editorship. John regarded the BJUI as the pinnacle of his academic career. He described his main contribution to the journal in a single word – COLOUR. His amazingly abstract covers, quality and readability made the BJUI unique. Little did I realise that this was perhaps a colourful reflection of his own life, enjoying every day to the full.

We met briefly at the EAU in Stockholm. I had no idea that I would never see the great man again.

Much affectionately,
Prokar

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’ Justin Collins – May 16, 2014

Although I only spoke with Professor Fitzpatrick a couple of times he was certainly someone who left an impression. He was a strong character and his deep thinking, energy and enthusiasm meant he challenged people, whilst having a very positive influence in multiple aspects of work and life. His many contributions to the world of urology will be missed.

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Mark S. Litwin – May 16, 2014

The stars are shining brighter now that one of our favorite sons is aloft with them. May our tears of sadness and disbelief soon dilute the pain of this loss and wash us toward a life filled with the joys that punctuated his. Rest in peace, friend and mentor, John Fitzpatrick of Dublin, of the world.

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Ann Frampton – May 16, 2014

As the organiser of the TUF cycling challenges I had the pleasure of cycling with John in Sicily, Malawi and Madagascar.  I am not a medical person, but couldn’t fail to be impressed by John’s knowledge of Urology and his passion for his work – both patients and research I know were very valued by him.  I really was very in awe of John the day I first met him at Heathrow Airport. As we cycled together on our first trip in Sicily – I got to know John the cyclist – John the Joker – John the wine drinker – but most importantly John the compassionate caring Doctor.  He did sometimes have a sense of humour failure, especially when it came to cycling off-road which he didn’t really take to!  A few swear words did come flying in my direction a few times as the organiser – however they were soon forgotten in the bar at the end of the day.  It always amazed me that John managed to find the time to join the TUF bike rides – he really was passionate about them and I know he was upset to miss our last couple of rides – the last time I spoke to him he said that he really wanted to be on our next ride.  He will be greatly missed on the TUF rides – he will be a TUF act to follow!  We will be dedicating our next TUF cycling challenge in India November 2015  to John – and I know we will be raising a few glasses of fine wine to him.

Rest in peace John – Ann Frampton, Action for Charity

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Jerry Richie – May 16, 2014

John was a true giant in Urology.  Larger than life, his eloquence, joie de vivre, Irish wit, and native intelligence shone through like a beacon.  Everywhere he went, he attracted friends and noticed everything and everyone.

I was privileged to see John on many occasions, especially our time at the GU Surgeons, an organization that he enjoyed very much.  John was the Hartwell Harrison Visiting Professor in 2005.  The residents still talk about his visit, especially the night out with the visiting professor.  They went through quite a bit of good wines that night!

Rest in peace, fair John.  You left us way too soon.  The world will not see another like you – you broke the mold.

Jerry Richie
Chief of Urology (Emeritus)
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Harvard Medical School

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Louise de Winter – May 16, 2014

In the three short years I came to know John, my abiding memories of him involve food, wine and much laughter!  A bon viveur, raconteur and connoisseur, John always made every occasion special and fun.  But the great man was always kind, considerate and thoughtful and knew how to take life seriously too.  As Roger said, John was one of the driving forces behind the creation of The Urology Foundation, seeing the need for specialised support for urology research and the training and education of urologists, and we owe him a great debt for that. John was a great supporter of TUF, serving as a Trustee, Chairman of the Scientific and Education Committee and latterly as a Patron. I have no doubt that the urology community as a whole is better off because of John.  We mourn him and miss him and remember him fondly in our hearts.  RIP John. 

Louise de Winter – Chief Executive, The Urology Foundation

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Ralph V. Clayman – May 16, 2014

This is such very, very sad news…we have all lost a great friend, a tremendous intellect, and one of the most joyful personalities in all of Urology.  John brought the sun with him wherever he went…great humor, empowering thoughts, and memorable conversation.  Truly, a bright light has gone dark…I know of none others like him…I fear likewise we will not know his equal in the uncertain span remaining to us on this earth.

Ralph V. Clayman
Dean – School of Medicine
Professor of Urology
Univ. of California – Irvine

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Jorge Lockhart – May 16, 2014

John was not only a brilliant man, with an outstanding personality, he was also the perfect urologic ambassador. He united urologists from Europe with the rest of the world. Everybody everywhere respected and loved him. John, rest in peace!

Jorge

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Roger Dmochowski – May 16, 2014

John defined joie de vivre. He was a friend, a mentor and a person of unbounded capabilities and emotions. The world is a little smaller in his absence

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’Georgina Stewart – May 16, 2014

I had the fortune to befriend Fitzy on two of the TUF rides in Sicily and Madagascar and adored sparring with him.  Fitzy was like marmite, but then the best people always are; he was a true character, an intellect and never dull! He lived life to the full and will be sorely missed. As Joni Mitchell sang, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone’ and this is a case in point.  RIP John and hope we meet again on the other side.

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’John Dick – May 16, 2014

What very sad news about John!  So unexpected and such a huge loss to the urological community.

We first met as trainees in the early 80’s before John returned to Dublin.  Our paths crossed only occasionally at BAUS and other meetings from then until 2003 when Roger told me that he was joining us on the Prostate UK Kilimanjaro climb.  Whilst his well-deserved reputation as a wine connoisseur went before him we knew that we could rely on him to select a few choice vintages for our return to base.  None of us, however, realised at that stage how amazingly fit he was!  He always liked to “lead from the front” and no-one was surprised that he got to the summit first in the leading group, a few yards ahead of Roger Plail, Mike Bailey, my son Alastair and me.  The steep ascent was made easier by his infectious Irish laughter, the conversation always flowing with his stimulating and entertaining views on a wide variety of subjects – for John was not only supremely knowledgeable in the field of urology, he could also talk with a deep knowledge of history, especially Irish and military history, but also of music, classics, literature and politics – he was a true polymath.

Each year after this John took time off from his busy working schedule to do a Prostate charity walk.  He was a larger than life character who helped to make these trips huge fun, the last one to the Kingdom of Mustang in Northern Nepal in 2011.  It is difficult to imagine doing one of these trips without him.  He will be so much missed in so many ways by so many people around the globe.

[divider scroll_text=”‘ label=’John Barry – May 16, 2014

John and I would see one another once or twice a year at the AUA, AAGUS or some more exotic place, like Japan or India. I remember a lunch in Indore when I mentioned that his mother must be very proud of him because he had more letters after his name than in it. He laughed and responded by saying that there was a joke at home that went something like, “What’s the difference between God and John Fitzpatrick?” The answer was, “You could always find God in Dublin.”

I, too, will miss him.

John Barry