Richard J. Bookman, a longtime supporter of the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, exemplary mentor, and unparalleled contributor to the intellectual life of the University of Miami, has died.
Dr. Bookman introducing a colleague for a reading at Books & Books, the Coral Gables bookshop, in December 2016.
Richard was smart without hubris and encouraging without pause. His interest in health information technology and the ethical issues it raises contributed to an environment that made UM a leader in this domain. He was instrumental in the creation of the Institute for Bioethics and the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC).
An unflagging source of interesting and important ideas, he insisted that scientists reflect on the conceptual and moral foundations of empirical research. As associate dean for graduate studies, associate dean for research and graduate studies and vice provost for research, he introduced sessions at which graduate students reflected on scientific method and other components of the growth of knowledge.
He had been ill for some time, and bore it with grace and curiosity.
Richard was an intellectual sui generis, a wonderful colleague and a dear friend.
