Andrew B. Pinter (1937–2018)

Andrew B. Pinter

Our dear friend and colleague Andrew B. Pinter passed away on August 19, 2018 at the age of 81.

Andrew B. Pinter was born in 1937 in Pécs, Hungary. He earned his medical degree in 1962 at the Medical Faculty of the University of Pécs where he was subsequently trained in general and pediatric surgery. Since 1966, he served as an assistant professor, as an associate professor since 1972, and as professor and head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery of the Medical Faculty of Pécs since 1990. Since 2007, he was Professor Emeritus.

Despite the difficulties in traveling during the times of the iron curtain, Andrew B. Pinter received extensive training abroad. He visited the Karl Marx University, Leipzig in 1967, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London in 1972–1973, the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Berlin-Buch in 1976, and Pediatric Surgery Texas Children's Hospital, Houston in 1981. Thereafter, he served as a visiting professor in many institutions all over the world including prominent departments of pediatric surgery, particularly in the United States, such as the Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, the Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, and the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.

Andrew B. Pinter's research activities were mainly focused on congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract. As a result of his clinical and experimental work, he published nearly 250 articles and more than 25 books and book chapters.

Andrew B. Pinter had a tremendous impact on the European Pediatric Surgeon's Association (EUPSA). In 2001, he organized the unforgettable 4th Annual EUPSA Congress in Budapest. He served as the president of the EUPSA from 2005 to 2007 and remained as a valuable member of the EUPSA Executive Board until very recently. He also served as the president of the Hungarian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, as a member of the Overseas Council of the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons, and as a member of the Examination Board of Pediatric Surgery of the UEMS (European Union of Monospecialists).

In 1985, Andrew B. Pinter became the Associate Editor of the European Journal of Pediatric Surgery and the representative of the Hungarian Association of Pediatric Surgeons in the journal. He shared many valuable ideas with the members of the board and reviewed an endless number of articles. He also served as a member of the editorial board of Pediatric Surgery International from 1998 to 2010.

As a result of his international commitment, Andrew B. Pinter was a highly respected member of the global pediatric surgical community. He received numerous honors and awards and was an honorable or corresponding member of many associations including the British, German, Greek, and Czech associations of pediatric surgery. In 2008, he received the Officer's Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary.

Andrew B. Pinter initiated the famous Imre Pilaszanovich Visiting Professorship in Pécs in 1991. Since then, many prominent members of the international community of pediatric surgery have been invited for lectures to Pécs. Those who have been at Pécs will always remember the unique atmosphere and Andrew's warm hospitality.

He was a great advocate of the welfare of children, particularly of those in the eastern countries of Europe. Furthermore, he had an inspiring and unique personality which will always be remembered with fondness by all who knew him personally. He was a great fighter and had a big heart. We will always remember his optimism and smile.

Andrew B. Pinter leaves behind his wife Kinga and two adult children. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family.