Standing on the Shoulders of a Giant: We Will Miss Our Friend Samuel J. Hassenbusch, III, MD, PhD

Abstract

![Graphic][1] Many giants have walked among us in the evolving field of pain medicine. Some have done bench research, while others have taught, cared for the suffering, and worked in the area of governmental and public relations to improve patient access to pain treatment. This article is dedicated to the memory of a truly unique physician who did all of the things noted above, and simultaneously shaped the practice of pain medicine by influencing a generation of physicians who will carry on the tradition of patient care that he epitomized. The authors of this article are proud to say that their careers were shaped in part by Dr. Sam Hassenbusch, and would like to reflect on this wonderful friend. Samuel “Sam” Hassenbusch, III, MD, PhD, lost his fight with glioblastoma multiforme on February 25, 2008, at home in the company of his beloved family. His family and the entire pain community deeply mourn his passing. We have lost one of our true shining stars. Many of us are familiar with Sam's publications, which have graced many journals including Pain Medicine , and have benefited from his oratory skills at many national and international meetings. Samuel was born on February 6, 1954 in St. Joseph, MO. As Sam grew up under the influence of his parents Samuel and Suzanne, he achieved high marks at school and excelled at everything he tried including playing both the violin and the trumpet, and becoming an Eagle Scout as he entered high school at Central High School. … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif