The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) mourns the passing this past August of Dr Gerard Yu, a friend and colleague to each member of the college. Gerard was a scholar in the true sense of the term. His scholarship was manifest by publications, research, and lectures. He published more than 120 contributions to foot and ankle press, and he was recognized with awards for research in foot and ankle surgery, for teaching foot and ankle surgery, and for performing foot and ankle surgery. Clearly, Gerard met the definition of an expert surgeon, teacher, and researcher in foot and ankle surgery. His early departure leaves a vacuous space that no one will soon fill in the same way. Gerard was a gifted and compelling speaker. His polished presentations were timely and engaging. He regularly filled the lecture hall. Gerard’s numerous professional contributions are easily recognized. We will miss this aspect of his presence dearly. Were these the only contributions, we would honor his memory for this alone…but he was much more.
Gerard was notable as someone who demonstrated huge personal and professional integrity. One of the ways Gerard’s integrity was manifested was in communication. He had intense focus of mind, on the discussion and individuals at hand, rarely succumbing to distractions of place and moment. This integrity extended to personal responsibility. He would frequently respond to a request for an ACFAS assignment with, “Let me get back to you in a day or two.” Inevitably, he would initiate a response, usually within the 48 hours. Often times, he would turn down the assignment with audible disappointment, noting that he was already committed to another function or a family matter. In those cases in which he did commit, we could rest assured that he would honor the commitment in a fashion that would exceed expectation. His way of living made it clear that his family was very dear to him.
Gerard’s integrity extended to his academic and scholastic life in a fashion that serves as an ideal example for all of us. He constantly questioned the dogma of accepted knowledge in a fashion that rarely caused rancor. Logical analysis followed by measured testing and investigation was his methodology. His legacy in this respect will last for years in that many of us have both ongoing projects and theoretical queries that were spurred by this man. One can easily say that he contributed more than he received. He was able to accomplish this with uncommon grace and ease.
We stand on the shoulders of those who train us in the art and science of foot and ankle surgery. Today, because of his passing, that shoulder is a little less broad and strong. Tomorrow, that shoulder will be stronger as a result of that large group of foot and ankle surgeons that Gerard Yu trained and influenced.
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