From the editor
From the Editor
Dr. Schwarzenberger is the former physician editor of DermWorld.
By Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, February 1, 2019
We lost a great man recently. Funny, because I am sure he would strongly object to being called this. It takes only a glance at his CV to appreciate that Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, was an extraordinary physician, scientist, and leader in our field. His work in immunodermatology framed our present understanding of many immunobullous diseases and, indeed, helped us understand many of the basic immunologic mechanisms in the skin. What his CV fails to convey is what an extraordinary, yet very ordinary, person Steve really was.
During his tenure as head of the National Cancer Institute Dermatology Branch, Steve trained innumerable physician fellows from all over the world, many of whom are now successful, independent researchers and leaders. Steve considered this to be his greatest professional success. Those of us who trained in his branch knew him to be a very dedicated, fair, and humble teacher. He shared his knowledge freely and took great delight in the success and personal growth of others. He had a unique ability to “give it all away.” I was never enough of a scientist to challenge his knowledge in the lab, but I did have the opportunity to stump him with a clinical diagnosis in a patient who presented with a rather unusual variant of a common disease. I still recall his delighted laughter when I revealed the answer. Steve made it okay not to know everything, and as brilliant as he was, would always claim that others were smarter than he — in particular, his older brother and hero, Robert.
Steve connected with people in a way that few of us are able. It was said at his funeral that the synagogue was filled with many people, each of whom believed they were Steve’s best friend. He remembered names and seemingly insignificant details of people’s lives, and he went out of his way to make everyone feel important. He followed the careers of his former fellows long after they left the Branch, and never missed an opportunity to contact us with words of congratulations or encouragement. I still have the gift he and his wife, Linda, graciously sent at the birth of my child almost 18 years ago. Steve responded to emails and answered his own phone. He played softball during the annual Navy vs. NIH Dermatology Branch grudge match and delighted us with his guitar playing whenever the opportunity arose. He loved his family dearly and was incredibly proud of his children.
I’m pretty sure if Steve were still with us, he would remind us to work hard, but to spend time with our families and friends, to be kind to everyone and, in my case, to publish more. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in his family, as well through those of us lucky enough to have known him as teacher, mentor, and friend.
