EPILOGUE
Alan E. Beer, M.D.
1937 - 2006

Dr Beer sadly passed away on May 1st , 2006 at the age of 69, just weeks before this book came to print – a bittersweet ending to a powerful and influential life. It was a twist of fate that he saw the final draft of this book, but never held the published copy in his hand. We know he was so proud of the completed text, and thankful that his life's work had been so faithfully documented. During his final days, he felt great peace knowing that the book would stand as an important part of his legacy.

In early 2006, Dr Beer was proud to announce that the laboratory he had always dreamed of was completed and staffed by a team of world-leading experts. In addition, patient numbers at his clinic had virtually doubled since it opened in 2003. Yet despite an ever-increasing workload, he never felt compelled to retire, or even rest. When he said, "I will die at my desk," he meant it. Right until the end, he dedicated himself to his lifelong mission of providing much-needed explanations, effective treatments and genuine hope for those suffering the misery of failure and loss. It was Dr Beer's ultimate achievement that couples like these – wherever in the world they live – are still able to receive help through his pioneering program today.

He will be greatly missed by the many thousands of patients and doctors that have been touched by his dedicated soul and pioneering mind. Never again will there be such a valiant warrior or such a thoughtful visionary for the reproductive immunology cause. Never again, will there be one so passionately devoted to his patients. As a final poignant note, here are some words from President Abraham Lincoln with which Dr Beer identified, and would have wanted to share:

"If I were to try to read, much less to answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me won't matter. If the end brings me out wrong, then ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."