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Memoir of Dirk Durrer *

In 1951, I began a study of the pathway of depolarization of the ventricular myocardium which was to continue for about 30 years. When I started. there were

vague rumors that similar studies were being conducted in Amsterdam. Los Angeles.

and Mexico City. but nothing had been published. In 1952. after a first abstract covering our work had appeared. I started to correspond with Dirk Durrer, who

came to visit Seattle soon thereafter. We discussed our techniques and results (the

techniques were surprisingly similar, despite their separate origin). The scientific

connection developed into a friendship which lasted until Dirk’s death (I spent one

hummer in Amsterdam on sabbatical). and I think we met almost annually throughout

most of that time. Through Dirk. I came to know and became close friends with Henk van der

Tweel, Frits Meijler, Adriaan van Oosterom. and others in Holland. I was able to

observe the changes in my Dutch friends over the years, beginning in the early 1950s v, hen the legacy of World War II was still apparent. and continuing into the present.

1 saw the growth and development of their scientific accomplishments and estahlish-

ments as things changed in Holland. My purpose here is to talk about Dirk Durrer. I would like to first discus5 his

personal characteristics; second. his characteristics as a scientist: and finally. but hriefly. his scientific accomplishments. Dirk was intense about life. about science,

about his family, and about social and world problems. His intensity led him to get things done, to surmount barriers that would have stopped many others. He was always fully involved with any project he took on. When Dirk became convinced

that action was necessary. he did something. Once, when he was worried about the

international situation, he made an appointment to visit with James Reston of the

New York Times. This attempt to influence public opinion illustrates Dirk’s devo-

tion, strength of character and of purpose. He did not avoid unpleasant things for

the sake of politeness. At a meeting in Milan. a European colleague began to

disparage the Americans for Coca-Cola and other aspects of the American ‘soft civilization’. Dirk talked about the things that Americans had done during World War II. When the discussion became more heated. Dirk politely pointed out the

similarity between the speaker’s ideas and those of the Axis powers. Dirk had wide interests and appetites. I can remember his rapid audition of several pieces of classical music. He did not have much time. hut what time he had for classical music

he used economically.

0167-5273/X4/$03.00 ( 1YX4 Elsevier Science Puhliahers B.V

AS a scientist. Dirk was inspired. dedicicted. original and aggressive. a man of wide interests and an organizer. It is important to remember the state of the

populace and of science in Holland when Dirk was getting started. The country and

people were gray, and there was little money for research. Dirh started a scientific

enterprise which, for some time, accomplished more than the entire establishment of some other equally modern. advanced, and capable ~o~t~tt-~c’.c. He inspired people who collaborated with him. and he alwavs gave them credit for their contributions.

He organized a team approach to research in areas connected with electrical activity of the heart, and sent individuals to be trained at outstanding laboratories. These outstanding individuals brought new techniques back to Amsterdam. All of this was

accomplished while he carried on a clinical practice and directed a university

department. Dirk saw to it that many young men were directed toward successful careers in cardiology and in cardiovascular research. Many of these will, I hope,

contribute to this memoir. Individuals trained in Dirk’s laboratory have ended up in positions of major responsibility. I an not know the details of the financing. but

Dirh was able to get what was necessary to do the job and to do it well. I was always

amazed that we in the States. with our financial resources, were at times able to do

as well as. but never better than, Dirk in setting up equipment and experiments. I cannot speak with authority about the work that came to be done on cellular

aspects of cardiac electrical activity in Dirk’s laboratory. but its reputation is

outstanding. The work on excitation of the ventricle was also outstanding. He gave us the only published study of the depolarization of the human heart. The data

which he left us in this area will probably never be duplicated. Dirk had exceptional strength of character. I visited with him several times after

his terminal illness was known to him (it was not known to many others. or to me). I am sure that on some occasions he was in pain. Nevertheless. he was his usual

stimulating, gracious. interesting self. The same can be said about Ina Durrer. Despite major stress, she was considerate and calm. Dirk Durrer was a type of

individual most of us rarely meet. He had strength of character. intelligence.

imagination, and originality. He started, and continued, good works of many types in the face of severe adversity. He was able to enrich the lives of many with whom he

came in contact. I hope we will again see his equal.

Dept. of Physiology and Biophysxa

G414 Health Sciences Building, SJ-40

UniverGty of Washington

Seattle. WA 98195. U.S.A. Allen M. Scher