Norman's Remarks

(Sent by email today; these remarks may diverge slightly from what was said at the actual tree dedication.)

I was privileged to have Avi as my team leader from the time I started as a medical officer in the Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products at FDA in 1991. We worked together first in the Parklawn Building, then Woodmont, and eventually White Oak campus. He was the quintessential team leader—caring, compassionate, engaged, and committed. As the years went by and I grew more confident, Avi remained a reliable friend, colleague, and mentor. We didn’t always see things the same way, but I always respected his point of view and was grateful that he had him to give us a different perspective on things. I miss having him to bounce ideas with, but he influenced—raised—a generation of medical officers; his impact is evident in the halls here today. In the early years, my daughter, Melissa, was a frequent visitor to the office when I would pick her up after daycare or school. Avi always made her feel welcome, as he did every other child he encountered in the workplace. So I was struck at his services last June at how similar were stories and experiences shared with his “other family”. Avi was very much the same bright, caring, funny character at home as he was at work. This probably is no great shock to any of you, but it is a consistency in character to which I only aspire, as much a part of his legacy, for me, as were the incessant puns.
Warmest regards,Norman