Pawan K Singal

I’d just received a personal message regarding the passing of an old colleague and friend, cardiovascular researcher Dr Pawan K Singal, while preparing to leave on a motorcycle trip to the Black Hills with my brother Bob, and son Christian. The news hit me hard, as I’d just attended a retirement party a week earlier and no one even mentioned he’d been sick. I would love to have seen him one more time.

I watched the webcast of the funeral. Memories from his “kids” , now adults, were wonderful and heartbreaking. He was remembered as the rock of his family, for his steadfast love of his wife, family, in-laws… pretty much everyone he came into contact with.

His colleagues, particularly my friends Drs Grant Pierce and Lorrie Kirshenbaum, delineated his achievements, appointments and awards, of which there were many. I was immediately reminded of the time I needed some fancy-looking awards for use in a research centre video. Dr Singal, by then director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, allowed me to take the two awards from his office wall. When I said I needed a few more, he told me to look in his lab office. I returned a few minutes later, empty-handed.

“Look behind the door on the top two shelves.”

And there, piled like cordwood, were at least a dozen plaques, some unopened since he unpacked his bag.

I suppose it is necessary to list one’s achievements at one’s funeral. Dr Singal was a world-reknowned cardiovascular researcher after all. His work impacted lives worldwide. He was known, worldwide. But physical awards didn’t mean as much to him as the relationships that were made through receiving them.

Of course equal due was given his easy demeanour, his physically large stature, his distinct baritone voice, his sense of humour, and his unquestionable love of family… of humanity actually. People loved him, and he loved them.

My career in communications has been in support of biomedical researchers. They are busy people, and I tried not to waste their time in our brief confabs. Often distraction would eventually appear in their eyes and mannerisms, and I would cut the meetings short.

This was never the case with Dr Singal. He always had time for me. Always smiling, welcoming… he’d often offer me coffee, and always opened with a question about my family.

“So Bill, any plans for the summer? Is Christian playing baseball this year? You’ll have to let me know when he starts hockey in the fall. I’d like to come to a game.”

I always felt better about myself, felt valued and appreciated, after spending time with Dr Singal. And I believe I worked all the harder because of it. He motivated me.

THAT’s what a real leader does.

His loss will reverberate through the cardiovascular research community for many years to come. I feel his loss professionally, but more so personally. I am proud to have called him my friend.