In memoriam: Dr. Frederic A. ‘Fritz’ Berry (1935-2022)

George D. Politis, MD, MPH, Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics University of Virginia (and Myron Yaster MD)

We are saddened to announce that another giant in the field of pediatric anesthesiology,, Dr. Frederick (“Fritz”) A. Berry, a Robert M Smith award winner, passed away in his sleep last night after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Frederick A. Berry [1] was known for his authoritative textbooks and journal publications, his leadership in the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA),the Academy of Pediatrics Section on Anesthesiology, the Association of Paediatic Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). He gave his immensely popular Refresher Course Lecture at the annual ASA meetings primarily on perioperative fluid management in pediatric anesthesia (and as you will learn in one of next week’s PAADs many of his thoughts and teaching need to be relearned by practitioners today). Because of his popularity at the ASA annual meetings, Berry became the ‘face’ of pediatric anesthesia in the United States.

He was beloved by his colleagues at University of Virginia where he practiced for over 40 years and taught over 500 resident physicians, including many who went on to practice pediatric anesthesiology. He is remembered by his contemporaries who jointly promoted pediatric anesthesiology as a remarkable speaker and a gifted teacher who “could get to the heart of the matter instantaneously”. Fritz is remembered by all as a kind hearted and extraordinary clinician who was a fierce advocate for children.

PS from Myron: Fritz was instrumental in founding the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. Present at its inception and birth, Fritz saved the day when forces opposed to SPA's creation tried to throttle it in the cradle’ by nominating an important and well known figure in pediatric anesthesia as an alternative to me to be the first president of the nascent organization. It was a tense moment and standing on the stage I could see Fritz in the audience nodging the person next him. That doctor, sitting next to Fritz, rose and nominated Fritz for President. Fritz stood up and looked around the room and at the person who had accepted the nomination. I’ll never forget this moment…Fritz said: “it wouldn’t be appropriate, Myron and his team had worked for well over a year to get us all here and he deserves the credit and the opportunity of leading us forward”. The room hushed and the alternate elector withdrew his nomination. The rest is history. I will never forget him…he was a gentleman. scholar, teacher and leader. I, and all who knew him, will miss him. Rest in peace.

If any of you would like to share your thoughts or experiences with Fritz send them to me and I’ll post them

References

1.           Mai, C.L., et al., The development of pediatric fluid resuscitation: an interview with Dr. Frederic A. 'Fritz' Berry. Paediatr Anaesth, 2014. 24(2): p. 217-23.