M. Gazi Yaşargil
Evandro de Oliveira skilled neurosurgeon, renowned teacher, and loyal friend.
Evandro and I met many times at congresses and symposia, where our discussions centered mainly on our professional activities. We could occasionally disagree, but the cordial and mutual respect fundamental to our relationship, always remained intact. Evandro's congenial expression and pleasant temperament always insured a relaxed atmosphere.
In the following lines I will reminisce on just a few of my memories of Evandro.
At a congress in USA I first met Evandro, where his neuroanatomy lecture, illustrated by excellent drawings and photographs, impressed me immediately. I arranged for him to lecture at the 1991 congress of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society in Çeşme, Turkey. His neuroanatomy lecture was praised and highly appreciated by the participants. Evandro was accompanied on a tour of the surrounding cultural sites, and, after the congress, we travelled together to Istanbul, where we spent one Sunday morning, very early, visiting Sultan Ahmet mosque and Hagia Sophia museum, and wandering leisurely between the pools and pillars of the Byzantine underground cisterns, to the sounds of classical music and the splash of ‘rain- drops’ from the ceiling as they entered the pools.
Before returning to Brazil, Evandro spent one day with us in the department of neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, observing surgery and meeting with faculty and residents. I encouraged him to also visit Professor Dolenc in Ljubljana, to observe skull base surgery.
After moving to Little Rock, Evandro invited me to San Paolo as guest speaker, where I toured his well-equipped training laboratory ([Fig. 1]) and observed his skills at a cerebral AVM surgery. Dianne and I were welcomed by Evandro and Marina to their home, and enjoyed relaxing conversations and discussion during a delicious dinner, especially prepared by Marina.
Fig. 1 Profs Evandro de Oliveira, M. G. Yarsagil and Raul Marino Jr at the Microsurgical Laboratory of Hospital da Beneficencia Portuguesa, São Paulo, with Evandro's fellows.
We have met on many occasions since, most frequently in Brazil, USA, and in Istanbul. The last time I saw Evandro was in August 2017, in Istanbul, at the congress of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. Over the years, each encounter roused in us stimulating discussion and exchange of experiences and ideas.
I recognize in Evandro his dedication to microneurosurgery, and his aspirations to teach the fine elements of micro-techniques. To be inflicted with such a debilitating disease at a young age was a tragedy. Nevertheless, I admired Evandro's strength of character to persevere, as he surmounted barriers invading his life, and attempted to defeat his misfortunes.
His presence as a respected neurosurgeon, with his courteous character will be greatly missed at future gatherings of the neurosurgical community. His personal experiences, knowledge, and reflections will no longer heighten and augment our scientific programs.
To Marina, I convey my respect and admiration for Evandro, and offer my sincere condolences.
