In Memoriam - Prof. G. Barry Pierce (1925-2015).

Abstract

Gordon Barry Pierce, my great mentor and long-time friend died in November 2015 at the age of 90 years. We will all miss him. What we are left with, however, are reminiscences of moments we spent with him, his jokes and stories to be retold and passed along, titbits of advice, and pearls of his common-sense Canadian wisdom. A vision of a better world to which he contributed so much. Scientific contributions too numerous to list, many of which had major impact on us who were interested in the same problems as he was. Seminal discoveries that impacted the progress in several fields of scientific endeavor. Major new concepts of oncology and developmental biology that opened new vistas and revolutionized our thinking about the crucial problems of biology and medicine. Unforgettable seminars and lectures. Unquenchable love for science. And much more that, nevertheless, can be summarized in two wondrous exclamations: What a man! What a life!