Dr. Butler's Death in the News

I'm following the reports of Dr. Butler's passing in the news. It's early still, but there are some very nice missives being released about him. I like this one by Richard Peck, a former editor of Geriatrics magazine. Peck is apt in his description of Dr. Butler as "smooth" and "gentlemanly," and the word "bemused" certainly captures some of his character. The piece also captures some of the broader elements I sense about Dr. Butler's work - that it is now and always has been ahead of its time and will only truly be appreciated down the road. Here are two wonderful nuggets from the piece:

What impressed me a great deal was the "drop everything and do it" attitude these distinguished people displayed when the smooth, gentlemanly Butler requested their participation in Geriatrics projects and panel discussions. He was clearly held in universal high regard within the worldwide geriatrics community.

and 

For the past several years Dr. Butler headed up the International Center on Longevity and continued to explore new territories of aging-related issues that will someday be commonplace to all of us.
It will be another decade or two, I'm sure, before his achievements register upon us in full.

Here are some of the other pieces that have shown up on the Internet so far:

The statement "On the Passing of Dr. Robert N. Butler," by the Director of the New York State Office for the Aging speaks to some of Dr. Butler's accomplishments, as does the third version of the AP article.

More News Coverage: 
Here are some more articles that appeared shortly after Dr. Butler's death.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/health/research/07butler.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070605125.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-robert-butler-20100707,0,6726206.story

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2010/07/07/seniors-owe-robert-butler-many-thanks.html

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2002134,00.html?xid=rss-health

http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20100708/gerontology-pioneer-robert-n-butler-expires-83-id-10119849.html


http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/the_passing_of_dr_robert_butler.php

On the Death of Dr. Robert N. Butler

We have all lost an ally this week, all of us who are aging that is, whether we be five or one hundred and five. 

I was stunned and saddened today to learn that Dr. Robert N. Butler died on July 4th. Just writing that seems implausible to me.

Two weeks ago I was in New York City interviewing Dr. Butler for a video biography project. We reviewed much of his life and work and touched on many topics, including death and illness. I don't know if he knew then how sick he was, but he didn't let on about it. He was gracious and warm, funny and poised. He was exactly as I would have expected such a great and prominent man to be - almost noble in his demeanor. I was initially drawn to the idea of doing a video biography with Dr. Butler because of the incalculable impression he has made upon the landscape of gerontology and geriatrics. It was wonderful to discover that, beyond his career achievements, he was also a genuine gentleman with a gracious perspective on the world. He was a tremendous humanitarian whose life's work fought against the pernicious impact of ageism, and he still had his sights set on so much more to do. He was in the midst of two significant new projects which I hope will be continued in honor of his work.

My thoughts and prayers go to Dr. Butler's family, friends and colleagues.

The International Longevity Center

Nancy sent me this great article on ageism, though I agree with her comment that it's a little too hoo-rah, swinging to the opposite end of the spectrum on what's expected in aging.

The article led me to the International Longevity Center site because the ILC's founder, Dr. Robert N. Butler,coined the term "ageism" in 1968.

I thought Karen's group would be particularly interested in the work that the ILC is doing related to aging and corporate America. I also like the consistent messaging of the "Age Boom" and "Longevity Revolution" on the site. Very positive. It turns the notion from "aging" to "living longer."