Obituary to Gerard Schuil,President of the European College of Gerodontology

On May the 26th 2000 Gcrrit RoelfEduard Schuil (Gerard), President of theEuropean College of Gerodontology. haspassed a\\a\ after a terrible motorbikeaccident in California. U.S.A.. He has lefthis uife Irma Scholten and their twochildren I sther (19) and Frank (16). Wewere all de\ astated by the new s and wouldlike to express our deep compassion to thefamiK.

Gerard Schuil was bom on July the 16th1955 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, but soonmined a\va\ to Groningen where hepassed his bo\ hood and adolescence. Afterhe finished school he graduated in 19(S2from the Dental School of the Universityof Groningen. Gerard established his ownprivate practice in Heerde where he soondeveloped a special interest in dental carefor the eldcrl). His commitment washighly appreciated in the local nursinghome, where he frequently pioN ided carelor the residents. Through his closefriendship and collaboration with CccsdcBaat he also got involved in thescientific side of gerodontology andbecame in 1990 an acii\e member of theDutch .Socieiy of Gerodontology. In 1992

he was elected Secretary and held theoffice since. On an international basis hewas active as President-Elect andPresident of the European College ofGerodontology (ECG) in 1999 and 2000respectively. He was in the process oforganising the upcoming annual meetingK^\ the ECG together with the EuropeanProsthodontic Association (EPA) and theDutch Society of Gerodontology (NVGe)in his hometown Groningen. His suddenand unexpected death tore him out of themiddle '^I'i these activities.

We shall remember Gerard as a verynice person and a good friend, an alw ays-helpful colleague and a caring dentist. Hehad a great sense for justice and backboneto stand up for what he thought was right.We will miss his humour and liveliness.His dedication for Gerodontology and theECG would have been crowned by hisPresidency at the upcoming meeting inAugust. We shall all work to fulfil hisplans in his spirit.

Frauke MullerImmediate Pa.si-President ECG

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