It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Remmers, MD. In memory of his tremendous legacy, a couple of community members have reflected on the impact he has left on our field.
Dr. Gy Yatros:
It’s hard to find the right words to truly capture the impact that Dr. John Remmers had on my life and the lives of so many others in the field of sleep medicine. When I first met John nearly 25 years ago, I was a young and inexperienced dentist with only a vague understanding of sleep apnea. Yet he went out of his way, without hesitation, to help and inspire me. Barely knowing me, he spent an entire day in my office, generously sharing his knowledge, his passion, and his time. That day changed the course of my career and helped set me on the path toward dental sleep medicine. And he did it all with such sincerity and grace.
Beyond his incredible accomplishments, what stood out most about John was his kindness and selflessness. In every conversation, he had a way of turning the spotlight away from himself and toward others, always looking for ways to support, encourage, or uplift them. It was never about him; it was about people, and always, the science.
There’s no doubt the world is a better place because of Dr. John Remmers. He touched thousands of lives personally and through his groundbreaking contributions to sleep medicine. On a more personal note, we shared a special connection through our Kentucky roots.
John, I wish we had the chance to share one more bourbon toast. You are deeply missed.
“Beyond his incredible accomplishments, what stood out most about John was his kindness and selflessness.”
From Len Liptak
John Remmers was nothing less than a legend; an iconoclast; a pulmonologist; a physiologist; a scientist; a father; a husband; a mentor; a colleague; an educator; a pioneer. And I consider myself lucky to have called John a dear friend.
John was the force of nature who discovered, evaluated, and characterized the pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a chronic disease that afflicts 1 billion people worldwide. He subsequently directed his considerable talents, intellect, and work ethic to neutralizing this disease. He was the yin to Sleep Apnea’s yang. Sleep Apnea posed questions, John developed answers. John published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles on respiratory physiology and served two terms as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Physiology. During his celebrated career, John invented and championed multiple technologies and clinical procedures that enabled more effective treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. John successfully licensed his inventions to some of the biggest companies in sleep medicine, was a co-founder of Zephyr Sleep Technologies, and, most recently, Chief Scientist for ProSomnus Sleep Technologies where he provided the clinical and scientific inputs that defined the forthcoming, next generation of sleep apnea devices. John was generous with his knowledge, making it a priority to train, mentor and inspire thought leaders in the field of sleep medicine. As clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Calgary, he founded the Foothills Medical Centre and Sleep Lab.
Yet awards and accolades do not begin to describe John’s contributions. He was a truly extraordinary human being. When my father-in-law fell ill with a respiratory disease, John interacted with the medical team in San Francisco and offered suggestions that likely extended my father in-law’s life by many months. But that was John. He spent time pondering the big, tough, public health questions. But he also kept it focused. Kept it personal. Kept it tangible. He always had time for the patient and the physician.
When you think on him, please know that John left the Earth doing exactly what he loved most, spending time with family, writing manuscripts, and developing innovative medical devices.
Words cannot describe the loss of John, an exceedingly unique and exceptional human being. Which is probably why, in a final demonstration of his sagacity, he aimed to ease my burden by suggesting I share his favorite poem.
The Road Not Taken
By Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
More From Dr. Remmers
Dr. Remmers was featured in a DSP interview for our Fall 2022 issue. You can read it here: https://dentalsleeppractice.com/in-2000-everything-changed/.