In March 2004, Michael Schlemmer, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Vienna, died tragically young at the age of 56, having suffered from a malignant tumour. Michael graduated as a medical doctor in Vienna in 1975, and began his academic career at the Department of Paediatrics. Shortly thereafter, he became a co-worker of Maria Wimmer, who was the leading paediatric cardiologist in Vienna at that time. After having been trained in paediatric cardiac catheterization by Jürgen Apitz in Tübingen, he started his work in the catheterization laboratory in Vienna in 1976, and it was he who shaped this specialty during his many years of service.

He received his degree as a Specialist in Paediatrics in 1980, and became Senior Lecturer in 1987, after having defended his thesis on the patterns of weight and growth in the pre- and postoperative periods of children with congenital cardiac disease.

In 2000, he became the acting chief of the Division of Paediatric Cardiology, but all too soon, in September, 2002, he had to resign from this post due to his severe illness. After that, he was appointed as Director of the Division of Teaching in Paediatrics, and put his emphasis on the education and training of his students until he died.

Michael Schlemmer was a dedicated paediatrician, and an outstanding paediatric cardiologist. He was also involved in many charitable activities, including our project in Bosnia, which aims at setting up a programme for paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery in Sarajevo.

He was loved by patients, colleagues, and students alike.

Michael Schlemmer is survived by his wife, his 14-year-old daughter, and two sons. All of us who had the good fortune of knowing him will remember him with admiration and fondness.