Professor Emeritus of Immunology Robert Isaac Mishell, MD died of heart failure on March 6, 2008 at the age of 73. Co-author of 45 publications, he invented the Mishell-Dutton culture technique in 1967 which is still in use today.

We mourn the loss of Robert Isaac Mishell, MD who died of heart failure on March 6, 2008 at the age of 73. A Professor Emeritus of immunology at the University of California, Berkeley and co-author of 45 publications, he invented the Mishell-Dutton culture technique in 1967 which is still in use today. Science was only one of many areas in which he contributed greatly to the community. He was active in the civil rights movement, worked to reduce under-representation of minorities in academia, and established a program for the social and humanistic aspects of health science education. The fact that his accomplishments were made despite suffering from bipolar disorder, which was inadequately treated for many years, makes them all the more remarkable.

The direction of Bob's life changed when he and his wife became victims of a senseless violent attack that left her with a traumatic brain injury. For the past 20 years he dedicated all of his time and energy to his wife's recovery, allowing her to reach her full potential. We will greatly miss his unwavering devotion to his wife and the way he approached lifes challenges with irreverent humor, kindness, generosity and humility.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara, soul-mate and best friend for over forty-four years; his son, Jacob (Kimberly), and his two grandchildren, Rebecca and Isaac. Leading by example rather than instruction, always thinking of others before himself, he will remain an inspiration to those who knew him.

An informal memorial service will be held on Sunday March 9, 11 AM at 624 Laguna Street, San Francisco. Children are welcome. If you would like to share a story about Bob that will help us keep his memory alive, please send it to 236 West Portal Ave, #304, San Francisco 94127 or email to rmish2@earthlink.net. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to Amnesty International or the Southern Poverty Law Center.