Hans-Dietrich Polaschegg: In memoriam.

Dr. Polaschegg

Sad news from the NEPHROL renalPRO listserv transmitted by Dr. Lindley:

07 February 2012
On the morning of February 3, Hans Polaschegg passed away in the University Clinic in Graz. He had fallen ill suddenly with acute myelocytic leukemia just two weeks earlier. If you knew Hans, you will know what a huge loss this is to the dialysis community. EDTNA/ERCA conferences (and AGMs) and renalPro will not be the same without his input, which was always well reasoned and based on a more-than encyclopaedic knowledge of the technology used in dialysis. As well as losing a friend, many of us have lost an irreplaceable mentor.

In many ways, Hans is responsible for dialysis as we know it. He held over 100 patents, many of which related to renal technology, and played a leading role in the development of the technical and safety standards for dialysis equipment. Since retiring as Head of R&D at Fresenius, Hans continued both research and development at home in his garage, at the University of Graz and as a consultant to companies working on innovative devices. Up to the very last moment he was working with Dr Gernot Schilcher on catheter lock solutions.

Please go to this link to read more about Dr. Polaschegg's career and contributions to renal care.

Hans would have been 70 in December this year. He leaves his wife Heidrun and daughters Nina and Vera. I'm sure that every one of Hans's friends and colleagues in renal care will join me in sending them our deepest sympathy.

Yours Lizzi

Dr Elizabeth Lindley
Department of Renal Medicine
St James's University Hospital