Abstract
It is with great sorrow that I announce the untimely death of my dear friend and colleague, Professor Henri Bensahel, who passed away on January 25 after his generous heart failed him. Professor Bensahel had dedicated his life to the welfare of others. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Henri Bensahel was in born in Casablanca into a warm and loving family blessed with strong moral values. Early in his boyhood he showed signs of academic curiosity which led him to be a prominent student, majoring in physics, chemistry and biology. However, most of all he felt the call to practise Medicine, and he rapidly became involved in the aspect of medicine that he prized most—enhancing of the quality of lives of others. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Paris in 1957. His love of children made him chose Pediatric Orthopaedics as a specialty. He soon became Chief resident, then Assistant and then Head of Pediatric Orthopaedics in Bretonneau Hospital in 1972 and, later, Head of Pediatric Orthopaedics of the Robert Debre Hospital, in Paris. In 1982, he was promoted Full Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedics.
Professor Bensahel was the Co-founder of the French Society of Pediatric Orthopaedics. He was also the founder of numerous international Societies where he held important positions, including President of EPOS, President of IFPOS, Editor of JPOB, founder of IPOTT, Editor-in-Chief of JCOR and Chairman of the International Clubfoot Study Group.
Throughout his outstanding career, he was awarded honorary memberships in numerous national and international societies and was conferred esteemed awards, culminating with EPOS’ most prestigious Maximis Meritis medal for 2006, which is bestowed upon members of the international pediatric orthopaedic community in recognition of a life-long dedication to the improvement of children's quality of life.
Henri Bensahel travelled a great deal, carrying the torch of Pediatric Orthopaedics all over the world and sharing his expertise with his colleagues and his students for the benefit of children worldwide.
Above all, Henri Bensahel, the man and exemplary husband and father, loved to be surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
We deeply mourn his death and extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Michelle, and to the family. I am sure they will pass on the values learned from him to the following generations.