Announcement

Arthur Sonnen 1931–2000

The sudden death of well-known epileptologist Arthur (Thuur) Sonnen on November 9, 2000 came as a shock to those familiar with the field of epilepsy. Born in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on July 27, 1931, Arthur became a victim of lung cancer at age 69, 6 years younger than today's average life expectancy for Dutch men. His amiable personality and continuing high energy level gave no hint of his medical condition, even as he presented his second educational CD-ROM to many friends from all over the world at the 4^th European Congress of Epileptology in Florence last October. He continued to the end to pursue, with even greater intensity, his life-long mission to minimize the suffering of people with epilepsy.

Arthur trained in neuropsychiatry with Professor Prick in Nijmegen. At that time in the Netherlands, the study of neurology and psychiatry were still conjoined. Arthur had an active interest in psychiatry and its relevance to managing cases of epilepsy. In 1964, Arthur joined the Dr Hans Berger Clinic, a center specializing in the treatment of epilepsy, in Breda, The Netherlands. In 1985, he became Department Chief succeeding Dr. Jan Bruens. Arthur remained an active and vital staff physician and academician until his retirement in 1991. He was extremely well liked by his patients for his genuine concern and medical expertise. Truly dedicated to his work, he never once stayed home when not feeling well.

Arthur did not limit his many extracurricular activities to the confines of his clinic or even national borders. Committed as he was to discussing epilepsy's complex nature in reader-friendly language, Arthur published numerous booklets, articles, and brochures, and he hosted a series of educational programs about epilepsy on national television. He was the founding member of the National Committee for Functional Neurosurgery, a group that helps select and monitor candidates for surgical treatment of epilepsy.

A man of global scope and vision, Arthur recognized early on the importance of video as a diagnostic and didactic tool, and he set out to build an exhaustive international collection of films and documentaries featuring epilepsy. To this end, he organized the International Epilepsy Audiovisual Festivals in association with the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE). This resulted in the unique “Global Epilepsy Research Archive (GERA),” named for his dear wife, Gera. This archive was a cornerstone and an integral part of the newly established International Epilepsy Resource Center of both the IBE and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Without Arthur's foresight in founding the GERA archive, it is unlikely that this Center would have been possible. The archive was recently transferred to the Epilepsy Center in Zurich and is now administered by Arthur's good friend and colleague, Dr. Ian Mothersill ([email protected]).

To foster a better understanding of epileptic seizures, Arthur used his considerable clinical skills and academic acumen to form and chair the ILAE Commission on Video Classification of Seizures. A fervent and enthusiastic leader, Arthur succeeded in arranging the financing, production, and distribution of a highly successful series of didactic CD-I and CD-Rom depicting different epileptic seizures.

Arthur was a prominent advocate, first in The Netherlands and later throughout Europe, for uniform standards regarding epilepsy patients' fitness to drive.

As his natural inquisitiveness made him critically explore all possibilities that might contribute to his patients' well-being, it is not surprising that Arthur was asked to write the chapter on “Alternative and Folk Remedies” for Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Textbook, edited by Drs. Engel and Pedley.

Arthur's thorough command of languages and fine sense of humor made him a much sought after speaker on special occasions. He often expressed himself in poetry and wrote a poignant poem while in his sickbed. Entitled “The Monument,” the work describes an 80-year-old widow who comes to his office with her 45-year-old son who, notwithstanding many years of treatment, is still suffering from frequent seizures and requires care by his aging mother. The poem illustrates both Arthur's compassion for his patients and their families, as well as his own capability for poetic pathos.

Arthur Sonnen was indeed a remarkable man who used his fine clinical skills and personal talents for communication to bring about a broader understanding of epilepsy around the world. Despite his modest nature and the total absence of self-promotion, Arthur's commitment and accomplishments on behalf of people with epilepsy everywhere resulted in his designation as Ambassador for Epilepsy by the IBE and ILAE, and he was decorated by the Dutch Queen for his national contributions to epilepsy. Those who were fortunate enough to know him and work with him feel a mixture of gratitude for what Arthur had achieved during his lifetime and grievous bereavement at the loss of what even more might have been.

Arthur's absence will be most sorely felt by his wife Gera, his son, three daughters, and five grandchildren. He left us after too short a time, but we are grateful for having known him and for the legacy he leaves behind.