Thank you for this tribute. I am also saddened to learn of David’s death. His work gave a permission structure to others to investigate and openly take on industrially caused disease. He was my dissertation advisor and was unfailingly kind, supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic. He worked tirelessly to help marginalized workers and children who had been harmed by occupational and environmental exposures. His dedication and moral clarity was inspiring.
Thank you for your inspiring reflection on David Rosner's legacy which, like the head and tail of a coin, is unique to him and inseparable from that of Jerry Markowitz.
I never met David. But since the publication of "Deceit and Denial" in 2002 and their stirring interviews with Bill Moyers, David and Jerry have helped immensely to shape my teaching of "Chemistry and Sustainability" at Carnegie Mellon University.
The lead component of D&D has been read and analyzed in considerable depth by hundreds of students here. It is a fantastic privilege to observe the indelible imprint it leaves on brilliant students.
You captured D&D perfectly: "Rosner and Markowitz’s work forced us to confront an uncomfortable possibility: we are, in part, dying from the world we built."
Thomas: David carried more than his share of history—especially the kind others preferred to forget—and he refused to let it remain hidden. It is hard to imagine somebody else picking that up and carrying it.
Bruce, but we must all keep trying to pick it up, carry it, and do whatever small part we can......I can imagine it......and I will do my part, in my own way, within my capabilities.
Thanks for this wonderful obituary notice Bruce. There are few genuinely brave and persistently heroic figures for us, not only to learn from but to be inspired by. Forming such a formidable team with Jerry, David was undoubtedly one of those few. And such a warm, fun lovely person. We miss you David.
Thank you Simon. I agree. Brave is not an adjective we typically associate with historians. But Rosner and Markowitz repeatedly took on industries, institutions, and historical narratives that powerful interests preferred to leave undisturbed. And he was also a warm, fun and lovely person.
“In doing so, they helped expose a recurring pattern in public health: the long gap between recognition of harm and willingness to act.” Thank you for this, an education we need, researchers with integrity.
Thanks for this tribute, Bruce. One day I hope to put down some words about what David and Jerry have meant to my field and in my professional life. If I had any time to write much of anything this week I'd be miffed that you got here so quickly. But as it is I'm glad you did, and with your usual sharp and wise perspective.
Christian: Your perspective will be unique and distinct. I look forward to reading it—or, better yet, finding time to sit down together and talk about it.
Thank you so much for this tribute, Bruce. Rosner and Markowitz are indeed giants in the field. I am so sorry to hear of David's death -- I had hoped to interview him and capture more stories.
Yes, Bruce, I agree "we are……dying from the world we built." I will try to be more blunt and direct in my writing, to honor all who have worked and are working so hard to expose "our willingness to accept certain harms as the price of progress" (Bruce quote). Thank you for sharing this powerful tribute to two people who have paved the way for us to continue and progress and find solutions.
He was born the same year as me, - I don't have that kind of legacy, however, I do what I can to direct many, many people that I know to improve their whole lifestyle as a wellness advocate to minimize the impact of industrial pollutants and toxins on their lives
Sadly, our whole medical bureaucracy seems to prefer ignoring the reality of source and causes, preferring to treat symptoms and ignoring prevention: it's unfortunately a business model in lock step with industrial uncertainty to increase their bottom lines
"Many of the illnesses surrounding us are not sudden catastrophes. They accumulate slowly across decades, hidden within the ordinary routines of industrial life."
I don't know how our paths crossed but I'm trying to save civilization with a knowledge Renaissance. What it does is it explains the true structure of things like atoms and the electron so we can understand why things chemically react and can manipulate them on a scale unthinkable in the past. This will revolutionize everything in biochemistry so I might have bumped into you somehow that way? If I could talk to your audience about how exciting this is that would be wonderful.
Thank you for this tribute. I am also saddened to learn of David’s death. His work gave a permission structure to others to investigate and openly take on industrially caused disease. He was my dissertation advisor and was unfailingly kind, supportive, encouraging and enthusiastic. He worked tirelessly to help marginalized workers and children who had been harmed by occupational and environmental exposures. His dedication and moral clarity was inspiring.
Bruce,
Thank you for your inspiring reflection on David Rosner's legacy which, like the head and tail of a coin, is unique to him and inseparable from that of Jerry Markowitz.
I never met David. But since the publication of "Deceit and Denial" in 2002 and their stirring interviews with Bill Moyers, David and Jerry have helped immensely to shape my teaching of "Chemistry and Sustainability" at Carnegie Mellon University.
The lead component of D&D has been read and analyzed in considerable depth by hundreds of students here. It is a fantastic privilege to observe the indelible imprint it leaves on brilliant students.
You captured D&D perfectly: "Rosner and Markowitz’s work forced us to confront an uncomfortable possibility: we are, in part, dying from the world we built."
Thank you David! Thank you Jerry!
And thank you again Bruce!
Terry Collins
I a devastated to learn of David Rosner's death.
Thomas: David carried more than his share of history—especially the kind others preferred to forget—and he refused to let it remain hidden. It is hard to imagine somebody else picking that up and carrying it.
Bruce, but we must all keep trying to pick it up, carry it, and do whatever small part we can......I can imagine it......and I will do my part, in my own way, within my capabilities.
Thanks for this wonderful obituary notice Bruce. There are few genuinely brave and persistently heroic figures for us, not only to learn from but to be inspired by. Forming such a formidable team with Jerry, David was undoubtedly one of those few. And such a warm, fun lovely person. We miss you David.
Thank you Simon. I agree. Brave is not an adjective we typically associate with historians. But Rosner and Markowitz repeatedly took on industries, institutions, and historical narratives that powerful interests preferred to leave undisturbed. And he was also a warm, fun and lovely person.
“In doing so, they helped expose a recurring pattern in public health: the long gap between recognition of harm and willingness to act.” Thank you for this, an education we need, researchers with integrity.
What a loss!
Thanks for this tribute, Bruce. One day I hope to put down some words about what David and Jerry have meant to my field and in my professional life. If I had any time to write much of anything this week I'd be miffed that you got here so quickly. But as it is I'm glad you did, and with your usual sharp and wise perspective.
Christian: Your perspective will be unique and distinct. I look forward to reading it—or, better yet, finding time to sit down together and talk about it.
Thank you so much for this tribute, Bruce. Rosner and Markowitz are indeed giants in the field. I am so sorry to hear of David's death -- I had hoped to interview him and capture more stories.
May we stand on the shoulders of giants....
Yes, Bruce, I agree "we are……dying from the world we built." I will try to be more blunt and direct in my writing, to honor all who have worked and are working so hard to expose "our willingness to accept certain harms as the price of progress" (Bruce quote). Thank you for sharing this powerful tribute to two people who have paved the way for us to continue and progress and find solutions.
Thank you for this tribute to David, Bruce
He was born the same year as me, - I don't have that kind of legacy, however, I do what I can to direct many, many people that I know to improve their whole lifestyle as a wellness advocate to minimize the impact of industrial pollutants and toxins on their lives
Sadly, our whole medical bureaucracy seems to prefer ignoring the reality of source and causes, preferring to treat symptoms and ignoring prevention: it's unfortunately a business model in lock step with industrial uncertainty to increase their bottom lines
"Many of the illnesses surrounding us are not sudden catastrophes. They accumulate slowly across decades, hidden within the ordinary routines of industrial life."
I don't know how our paths crossed but I'm trying to save civilization with a knowledge Renaissance. What it does is it explains the true structure of things like atoms and the electron so we can understand why things chemically react and can manipulate them on a scale unthinkable in the past. This will revolutionize everything in biochemistry so I might have bumped into you somehow that way? If I could talk to your audience about how exciting this is that would be wonderful.