obituary

For nearly the past two decades, Gary Pillar’s work has been evident across Case Western Reserve University, especially through the athletics programs and facilities that his engagement with donors helped support. Now, the campus community, alumni and friends are mourning the passing of Pillar,…

Throughout her legendary career in developmental neuroscience, Lynn Landmesser was driven by a fascination for understanding species’ behaviors. It’s one that took root when she was a child in California, where she explored diverse environments ranging from tide pools to deserts and mountains. And,…

Most entrepreneurs are accustomed to hearing the word “no” from inherently skeptical potential investors. But not from Bob Sopko. His positivity and guidance nurtured new and seasoned entrepreneurs at Case Western Reserve University—and throughout the region—for years. Those who worked with and…

If you ever walked around Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine’s admitting or radiology clinics and heard someone say, “we can do it,” there’s a good chance that was Sue Opsitnick. A radiology technician who dedicated nearly two decades to Case Western Reserve University,…

At 4 years old, Charis Eng was captivated by her uncle’s career as a physician—an early fascination that wound up shaping her future. By age 16, she had already enrolled at the University of Chicago, marking the start of a journey that would eventually lead her to become a pioneering figure in…

Robert Salata arrived in Cleveland in the mid-1970s, ready to begin his MD studies at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. It was the start of a decades-long career in Cleveland that would have remarkable impact in understanding and preventing infectious diseases, not only in…

The university community mourns the loss of faculty emeritus Paul Schroeder who passed away on July 20 after a short illness. A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Savior, United Methodist Church in Cleveland Heights on Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. Friends will be received starting at 1…

Nathan Berger with his wife, Sosamma J. Berger Nathan Berger arrived in Cleveland in 1983 with a vision: creating an oncology/hematology training program to position Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine as a leader in the burgeoning field of cancer care. The program he…

Not many people can claim they brighten every room they enter, but Michael Wilcox could—in more ways than one. A third-shift custodial supervisor, Wilcox was known for his big heart, gentle spirit and genuine care for others—and his ability to make floors shine across Case Western Reserve’s campus.…

Two years ago, high winds in St. Louis threatened the University Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships. For pole vaulter Victoria Zhao, the weather made an already-nerve-wracking event even more daunting, as vaulters take off down the runway to soar a dozen feet in the…