An appreciation of John Holter
We are all here today to remember and rejoice in the life of
John William Holter. Most of us knew him, to those of you who only
know him by repute - you missed a real treat. John was a vibrant
warm person, an enthusiast in everything he did, and with a wicked
sense of fun and humour.
He was an engineer and successful
businessman, but when in 1955 his son Casey was born with severe
myelomeningocoele and developed hydrocephalus at the age of three
months John devoted all his time and professional skills to
developing shunting systems for the treatment of hydrocephalus.
Working with a surgeon Dr Spitz, a one-way valve was designed and
the first Spitz Holter system was inserted in Philadelphia in March
1956. It was brought to England by George Macnab - the first
President of this society - in 1958 and this led to its use
worldwide.
John was of course an American and an Honorary member of the
American Association of Neurosurgeons but he revelled most in his
recognition in the UK. In 1963 he was made an Honorary Member of
this society - the first non-medical person to be so honoured. He
remained an enthusiastic member throughout his life, a vigorous
participant at the Society's annual meetings which he attended
regularly. I remember many years ago commenting on a very
pro-British tie that he was wearing, he was delighted that it had
been noticed and always after that each year he sported a new
version.
He became a great benefactor of the Society and in 1965
inaugurated the Casey Holter Lecture and Essay prize in memory of
his son. In 1976 Sheffield University conferred an Honorary D Sc on
him.
In May 1998 he was invested as an Honorary CBE, an honour of
which he was intensely proud. There were many tributes paid in
support of John's nomination for a British Honour, which he of
course never saw. I would like to share a few with you...
'his unique and important contribution to the treatment of
hydrocephalus'
from parents 'an enormous sense of indebtedness to Dr
Holter'
'Dr Holter has made a bigger contribution to the revolution
which has taken place in the treatment of hydrocephalus in the past
thirty years than any other single individual'
'his wisdom and dogged persistence'
'such an approachable person'
'the design of his valve was pure genius'
and from another parent 'his life saving invention so
dramatically improved the life expectancy of those
with
hydrocephalus'
Finally from the President of ASBAH a medical doctor who himself
has spina bifida 'the shunt has changed the lives of so many with
hydrocephalus it would give me the greatest satisfaction to know
that this remarkable man has been granted the official recognition
he so fully deserves'
We have become so possessive of John and have regarded him as
ours that some of his other achievements have perhaps not been
appreciated by us, but he made other innovative and notable
contributions to medicine including designing heart valves and
artificial hearts used in research and development.
He was a soldier serving with the American Army from 1941-45 and
seeing action in North Africa, Italy and France.
Between 1989 and 1993, he donated more than $600,000 to local
charities.
"I'd rather do it while I'm alive and see it do some good," he
said in 1993, "rather than have an estate and have the lawyers
fighting over it."
In 1991, he gave a $100,000 charitable annuity to the United Way
of Pinellas County. The gift, in the form of stock, was to transfer
to the United Way upon the deaths of Mr. Holter and one other
person, whom he declined to name.
A keen sailor he enjoyed this hobby particularly after he
retired.
When John wrote to me after his investiture he said 'I wish my
wonderful mom was alive and present, she probably was watching from
her well earned place in heaven, I hope so'.
At 80 years old he said to a senior member of this society 'I
must attend the scientific papers to tell them what they have done
wrong, and how to do it better'.
Well John is no longer with us to do that, but I am sure
reunited with his wonderful mom he will be with us in spirit -
urging us all on to do it better.
So in loving memory of John and in gratitude for his life - The
Trumpet shall Sound.
Moyna P Gilbertson
23 June 2004
