In Memoriam: Pierre J. Meunier, M.D.

[Lauren Taggart]

We are saddened to announce the passing of ASBMR member Pierre J. Meunier, M.D. A pioneer of histomorphometry use in clinical studies, he was also widely noted for his influential work in the field of osteoporosis and rheumatic diseases, and for his renowned work as a mentor and editor in bone research. Dr. Meunier authored over 370 scientific manuscripts. He was Professor of Medicine at Claude Bernard Lyon University and Head of the Department of Rheumatology and Bone Diseases at the Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon, France. Professor Meunier was a thoughtful scientist who meticulously carried out his research and mentored many other colleagues. He leaves a legacy of scientific contributions to our field that will always be acknowledged as the field moves forward.

 

Throughout his long career, Dr. Meunier’s research accomplishments were honored with numerous recognitions and awards. He was named a Decorated Officer of the Ordre des Palmes Academiques (France) and was a recipient of the ASBMR Frederic C. Bartter Award (1999), Paget Disease Foundation Prize (1991), IBMS John Haddad Award (1998), and the IOF Pierre Delmas International Prize (2010). He also served in numerous volunteer leadership positions with numerous bone organizations, including the editorial board of the JBMR, Editor-in-Chief of Bone (1978-1989), Editor-in-Chief of Osteoporosis International (1989-2005), Secretary of the European Calcified Tissue Society (1985-1991), and a consultant at the World Health Organization.

 

Please join us in recognizing Dr. Meunier’s contribution to our field by leaving a note, sharing a memory, or contributing a donation in his honor

[Guest Richard Bockman, MD, PhD]

An outstanding scientist and mentor

R. Bockman

[Guest Francis H Glorieux]

Pierre was a friend and a mentor. I spent a sabbatical year with him to learn about histomorphometry that allowed me to establish an extensive pediatric program. Without his guidance this program would not have flourished the way it has. Meeting with Pierre was always great fun. His dry sense of humor and uncanny ability to play with words (in french) was truly unique. Thank you Pierre, I will miss you.

[Guest Piet Geusens]

We lost one of the pioneers in bone, who has motivated and convinced so many of us to study osteoporosis and bone diseases

[Guest Mario Luis Cousseau]

I had the pleasure of training as a foreign fellow resident at Lyon under his supervision and Dr. Delmas one, year 1996. He was a pioneer in insisting everybody about vitamin D supplementation, what became an usual medical practice 20 years afterwards. A big man, and a gentleman. Be in peace, dear Professor.

[Guest Karl Obrant]

Pierre Meunier wellcomed me most generously to work in his lab throughout a year in 1987. Pierre was a warm personality and an outstanding scientist and a good friend. With no doubt he was a key person for my own training as a scientist within the field of osteoporosis.

[Guest Paul Lips]

In Pierre Meunier, we lose a very creative scientist, an excellent clinician and teacher.

I went to Lyon in 1977 to learn histomorphometry in the “Laboratoire de recherches sur l’histodynamique osseuse” and to measure mean wall thickness. The laboratory and the Department of Rheumatology of the “Hôpital Claude Bernard” were an excellent environment to learn about metabolic bone disease. Pierre usually had consultations in the morning, and if possible he spent the afternoon in the histomorphometry laboratory. He was easy to approach and friendly mentor for the many PhD students and postdocs. I remember the many microscopes and the several thousand bone biopsies in small boxes in the laboratory. In 1982 he was in my PhD committee, and he was asking questions in English during the defence, but also adding some words in French, comparing a patient with hip fracture with the fire department arriving after the fire (“les pompiers arrivent après l’incendie”). In later years, Pierre became more and more famous as clinical investigator, but he always was easy to approach for young investigators.

I met him on several occasions after his farewell from the department and the laboratory in Lyon, in Chancelades, a small village in the remote department of Lozère, where he spent the last 10 years with his wife Annie in his country house and where he enjoyed the beautiful garden. Last years he became increasingly dependent. The last time we visited Pierre and Annie was in September 2015. At that time, he was quite immobile, but his wit was as before. As Annie told me on the phone, he passed away quietly.

We will remember him as an excellent scientist and teacher and a very nice person.

 

Paul Lips

[Guest Claudia Gomez Acotto]

I was an intern as a medical resident from 1992 to 1994 in Lyon, he was my teacher in calcium and phosphorus metabolism .

Always in my memories

Claudia Gomez Acotto, MD,PhD

[Guest NormaHIP]

I live in NC and want to get some Rene Pierre parts. Can anyone help me. Not sure the year of the table, but has to be a late 80's or early 90's table. Thank you.

 

Видела тогда животрепещущий мастурбатор, я нередко в командировке, вот хочу своему парню покупать, как считаете это поможет избежать измены?