A Memorial Tribute To Gerard V. Yu, DPM (1954-2005)

   As we were putting last month’s issue to bed, we received the stunningly sad news about the sudden passing of Gerard V. Yu, DPM, due to a heart attack. A leading educator and ambassador for the podiatry profession, Dr. Yu was an active member of our Editorial Advisory Board for the past three years. Dr. Yu was a dynamic presence whose generous spirit, good humor and compassion will leave a lasting legacy.     “Surgical successes and unraveling clinical complications have always been things that I attribute to having trained and worked with (Dr. Yu),” recalls Molly Judge, DPM. “I will miss his surgical wizardry and the way he made it all seem so effortless.”    Dr. Judge also recalls “a mentor and a very dear friend. I did not realize that so much of what I do in life, I judge by his standards.”    Michael Downey, DPM, remembers a 2 a.m. dinner invitation from Dr. Yu when he and D. Scot Malay, DPM were junior residents under Dr. Yu, who was the senior resident.     “When we arrived, he first berated us for some things we had not been doing correctly at the hospital. Once he finished ‘educating’ us, he then cooked us a wonderful gourmet meal and serenaded us on the piano,” notes Dr. Downey. “I believe all of those who were educated by Gerard would agree that he demanded 100 percent from you but gave you 300 percent. He will be sorely missed.”    Dr. Malay agrees. He says Dr. Yu had a take-charge charisma but always made others feel that their opinions were highly valued.     “Gerard was an outstanding representative for all that is positive and meaningful in podiatry,” says Dr. Malay. “We will miss his wit and wisdom, his motivating excitement for the task at hand and his drive for excellence.”    Joshua Gerbert, DPM, remembers that drive for excellence well. He received a phone call from Dr. Yu the night he finished his residency program.     “(Dr. Yu) wanted to pursue a career in podiatric medical education and had a thousand questions,” remembers Dr. Gerbert, who was the Chair of the surgery department at the California College of Podiatric Medicine at the time. “I asked him why he wanted to go this route versus private practice. He said he wanted to contribute and make a difference within our profession. His track record speaks for itself. His critical thinking will be missed.”    Lowell Scott Weil, Sr., DPM, recalls a man whose “attitude was positive, forward thinking and relentless.”     “Gerard once said to me, ‘Podiatrists know about everything that orthopedists are doing but the great majority of orthopedists are not aware of the podiatric surgical techniques and that is a shame,’” offers Dr. Weil. “One of his proudest moments came last spring when we had dinner with several of the icons of the Foot and Ankle Society. Gerard had them all convinced that we could and should hold a combined scientific meeting, and we are in the process of making that a reality.”    Gary Dockery, DPM, recalls many dinners of great conversation with his friend while both were on the lecture circuit.     “He was always very thoughtful about controversial issues and I enjoyed the banter,” notes Dr. Dockery. “He also just loved to tell ghost stories and recount his experiences and encounters with the spirits.”    Mary Crawford, DPM, recalls “a friend, a colleague, a man of vision, a devoted father and husband.     “The lives he touched will be enriched forever by his generosity and genuine friendship he bestowed to all that knew him,” emphasizes Dr. Crawford. “I will miss him very much.” Editor’s Note: Contributions to the family of Gerard Yu, DPM, can be made to the: Gerard V. Yu Memorial Fund c/o The Podiatry Institute, 1459 Montreal Road, Suite 206, Tucker, Ga. 30084