Obituaries

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2024

Sudhir Kakar (1938 - 2024)
His calm, even-tempered, and balancing presence will be sorely missed in India's cultural landscape. Especially in these troubled times, with elections looming and politics raising its fists, his essays in leading newspapers and magazines would have helped to understand the psychological and cultural underpinnings of this noisy surface. But he also leaves a wide gap in the Indian-German dialog, which he led for decades. Sudhir Kakar, born in 1938 in what is now Pakistan, was by no means destined for these roles at first. Like all ambitious fathers who have the welfare of their sons and daughters in mind, Sudhir's father first sent him to study engineering, then he became a business graduate by studying in Mannheim. This marked the beginning of his turn to Germany, but also to psychoanalysis. In his biography The Soul of Others, he explains how an encounter with Erik Erikson, the German-American psychoanalyst, led him to his second and real career: psychoanalysis. A stay at the Sigmund Freud Institute in Frankfurt led him to become a psychoanalyst based in New Delhi. At that time, this discipline was still completely new and unfamiliar to Indian psychologists. Kakar specialized in researching the psyche of Indian fathers and especially mothers and discovered that their psychological structure differed markedly from their European role models. The archetypes and role models in India were myths such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and Sudhir Kakar explored ways of helping his patients to heal them with the help of these myths. Read full obituary (in English and German)26.04.2024 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung


Dr. Asher Wilner
On Saturday April 20, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a long struggle with dementia. Adoring husband of Dr. Deborah Zack Wilner for almost fifty years. Devoted father of Joshua (Anne), Daniel, and Benjamin (Elizabeth). Proud Zaida of the newest addition to the family, Baby Wilner, born April 11, 2024. Doting Zaida of his beloved grand-dog, Lady. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Eric and Claire-Jehanne, Lillian and the late Sheldon, and the late David and the late Ellie. Dear brother-in-law of Martin (Pam), and the late Elisse. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and former patients. The family would like to thank the staff at the Jewish General Hospital, who cared for him during his final days. Special thanks to the staff at the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre for their extraordinary care over the last year. Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11 am. Burial at the Beth-El Cemetery, Eternal Garden, 33 Elm Ave., Pointe-Claire. The family will be receiving guests Sunday and Monday evening, and for a Shiva on Tuesday evening, when Passover comes to an end, at 376 Redfern Ave, #12, in Westmount, 7-9 p.m. each day. Contributions may be made in Asher’s memory to The Jewish Hospital of Hope Eldercare Foundation at 514- 738-4500 ext. 2124.
Dr. Asher Wilner - Funeral Information, Obituary, Condolences - Papermans & Sons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada


Mario Torres Pereyra (1941-2024)

Mario Torres was a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, member of the Uruguayan Psychoanalytical Association.
He worked intensely as an analyst in his clinical practice and also participated actively in institutional life, through his insertion in commissions and study and work groups. Read full obituary
Mario Torres fue médico psiquiatra y psicoanalista, miembro de la Asociación Psicoanalítica del Uruguay.
Trabajó intensamente como analista en su práctica clínica y participó también activamente de la vida institucional, a través de su inserción en comisiones y grupos de estudio y trabajo. Leer obituario completo
Uruguayan Psychoanalytical Association


Harold P. Blum, MD (1929 – 2024) 

IRED Committee and IRED Contributors deeply mourn the passing of our distinguished senior member of the North American and Inter-Regional Editorial Boards, an esteemed colleague and a dear friend – Harold Blum - a giant among psychoanalysts and among men, a humanist to the core.  We were very fortunate to have him, right from the start, among our most prolific contributors. 
Harold was the Past Vice-President of IPA, Former Executive Director of Freud Archives of the Library of (US) Congress, Past Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association (JAPA), the President of the Psychoanalytic Research and Development Fund of the American Psychoanalytic Association, and Distinguished Fellow of American Psychiatric Association. He authored more than 200 scientific papers, authored or edited more than 10 books, and received many awards and lectureships including the inaugural Sigourney Award, the Mahler, Hartmann and Lorand prizes, the Sigmund Freud lectures in New York, London, Vienna, and Frankfurt; the Anna Freud, Hartmann, Brill, Sperling and Blackman lectures; he gave two Plenary Addresses to the American Psychoanalytic Association, Chaired five symposia on Psychoanalysis and Art in Florence, Italy;  Co-Chaired (with Eva Papiasvili) the historical Post-IPA Congress symposium “Psychological Birth and Infant Development” in Freud’s birthplace, the town of Pribor, Czech Republic; and Co-Chaired (with Sophie de Mijolla) the international Symposium “Parent-Infant Disturbance: Theory and Therapy “in Paris, France. 
Read full obituary  by Eva D. Papiasvili, for the IRED Committee and Contributors


Olga Panopoulou - Maratou (1943-2024)

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of Olga Panopoulou -Maratou, training analyst, and former director of training  of the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society in Athens, Greece. Dr. Maratou obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Special Education at the University of Geneva under the supervision of Jean Piaget. She then worked as a clinical psychologist and as a researcher in the Department of Child Psychiatry at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, England. 
After returning to Athens, Greece, she was a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Special Education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In addition, she worked in a supervisory capacity in public and private organizations serving children with autism. 
Her colleagues, students and friends will remember her for her significant commitment to the field of psychoanalysis, her care for her patients, the transmission of psychoanalytic thought and practice, as well as her interest in research. 
She is survived by a daughter, a son and two grandsons.
On behalf of the executive council of the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society. 
Christos Zervis, M.D.President 


Baljeet Kaur Mehra (1929-2023)
Baljeet Kaur Mehra was one of the most outstanding psychoanalytic clinicians and teachers of her generation.  She was also a wonderful person.  Those who knew her in her various capacities over the years remark on her beauty, elegance, sense of humour, the range and depth of her intellectuall and cultural interests, her generosity, and capacity for tenderness and affection.  She was also tough-minded, had an unwavering commitment to truth, and could be a rebel.  Always modest, she published little, but her contribution to training others was immense.
Born Baljeet Malhotra in 1929 she entered a well-known academic, political, and creative Sikh family.   Her father, Niranjan Singh, was a Professor of Chemistry, College Principal, writer, and novelist, as well as being a leading Nationalist.  Engaged in Sikh politics, he was “thoroughly opposed to British rule in India” and so deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s appeal for non-cooperation with the British colonial  government when he first met Gandhi in 1920,  that he preferred homespun khadi to western clothes to the end of his life.  Even if their politics differed, he shared his commitment to the Sikh cause with his brother, Master Tara Singh, who was a central figure nationally in fighting for Sikh rights and identity.  Read full obituary here
Ken Robinson, British Psychoanalytical Society


Marvin Margolis

Marvin Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. was the heart and soul and leading light of the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute, Society and Foundation.  He was a steadying, tireless force and an innovative leader who inspired us to follow his commitment to bettering the lives of others. Countless individuals from across the world have been helped by him over his long lifetime as beloved and respected leader, teacher, analyst, consultant, friend. 
A memorial will be held (online and in -person) to remember and appreciate his contributions to psychoanalysis locally, nationally, and internationally.
Date: 24th February, 2:00-4:00 pm 
Venue: Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute, Society and Foundation 
Online: Zoom Meeting link https://umich.zoom.us/j/94544235124 Meeting ID: 945 4423 5124 
Contact: Harvey Falit - [email protected] or Nancy Kulish - [email protected] .

Saul Peña (August 23, 1932 - December 4, 2023)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Saúl Peña on December 4, 2023.
Thinking of Saúl Peña elicits gratitude. Soon, it will be the 44th anniversary of the Peruvian Society of Psychoanalysis, an institution that, thanks to his strength, passion, and drive, he co-founded with two colleagues, Max Hernández and Carlos Crisanto.
The sadness of his departure finds solace in remembering his love for psychoanalysis, his love for life, and the great legacy he leaves not only to psychoanalysts and psychotherapists but to our country as well.
Those of us who had the honor of knowing him carry the imprint of his teachings, his courage, his intuition, and his interest in human beings. We are thankful for him embodying the art of living.
The best tribute is to remember him as he recalled his origins and trajectory. Here is a brief account of Saúl: Read full obituary by Graciela Cardó, President of SPP


Eduardo Gastelumendi (1 April 1957 - 9 January 2024)
It is my duty to inform you with great sadness and regret, on behalf of the Peruvian Society of Psychoanalysis and the family, that our beloved Eduardo Gastelumendi passed away today at 8:00 am. He left us in peace and enlightenment. We are grateful for his life, and for his contributions to psychoanalytic institutions in Peru and in the world. We will miss him greatly, we will be comforted by his legacy.
Expresamos nuestras condolencias a la familia del Dr. Eduardo Gastelumendi, fallecido aye, 9 enero 2024. Él fue un gran soporte para muchos sobrevivientes de abuso eclesial, en especial, víctimas del Sodalicio. Un profesional de primer nivel, reconocido por su trabajo y su calidad personal.
Graciela Cardó, President of SPP