Prof. Dr. Bernhard Pollack

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhard_Pollack

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/337953#ref11

Bernhard Pollack (1865–1928), a pioneer neurohistologist, ophthalmologist, and world-class pianist. In 1897, Pollack published the first standard manual on staining methods for the nervous system. Born into a Prussian-Jewish family, he received his piano education from the composer Moritz Moszkowski and his pathology education from Carl Weigert. Pollack worked in the Institutes of Wilhelm Waldeyer (anatomy), Emanuel Mendel (neuropsychiatry), the later Nobel laureate Robert Koch (infectious diseases), and the Eye Policlinic of Paul Silex (ophthalmology), becoming a Professor of Ophthalmology at Berlin’s Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in 1919. The study also chronicles the founding by Pollack of the Berlin Doctors’ Orchestra in 1911.

"On March 3, 1928 the Berlin ophthalmologist Professor Dr. Bernhard Pollack, well-known and highly regarded by his colleagues, died. An agonizing malady, which cast its shadow over a long period of time, put an early end to a rich life.

From inner conviction, Pollack chose the medical profession, for which he was exceptionally suited. He began as a devoted student of Weigert in anatomic pathology. He published a groundbreaking comprehensive work on the staining methods applied to ocular microscopy. Moreover, he was outstanding as a practicing ophthalmologist; the circle of his activity expanded soon, and he became increasingly influential after settling in Berlin. He combined great ability with the finest psychology and artistic intuition and was thus able to treat and help anyone, from the common folk to the highly trained artist.

The dual nature of the physician and the artist added a special note to his personality. He was a pianist of the highest rank and mastered virtually the entire piano repertory as a virtuoso performer. Moszkowski called him the greatest memory in existence. He would readily register any request by heart. Once he saw the manuscript of a newly composed piece on a composer’s grand piano; he read the score unnoticed and later played it from memory to the astonishment of the composer. The composer immediately remarked, ‘You would really impress me, if you could play the compositions I have not composed yet’. Pollack was a close friend of the greatest in the music world. As a young man he journeyed with Kreisler to America. There he enjoyed his first triumph as an accompanist and soloist and became a very welcome guest at the homes of the dollar kings. He was most entertaining and sociable, and with his effusive spirit and wit injected life into any circle.

Those great intellectual qualities were only exceeded by a deep goodness and inner amiability toward others, what one of his friends called a ‘charming heart’. Such goodness was his hallmark. Whenever he could, he supported colleagues in need. He would sacrifice himself for his friends anytime they needed it. He lived their destiny as his own, and only those who were close to him can appreciate that his passing leaves a void that can never be filled."

Dr. Else Wolfsohn-Jaffé