Just few days ago, our country has lost a great mind. A man that the world has recognized for his great contribution to science, but his passing created a great irony. Not being admitted in a first class hospital and ended up in a government hospital with bad reputation of patients not being cured and dying. He was Dr. Richard Heck, married to a Filipina. He died Saturday from multiple organ failure after bouts with pneumonia, diabetes, and liver cirrhosis.
In our very own country, we have lost a Nobel laureate in 2010, Dr. Richard Heck. "In the 1960s, Dr. Heck discovered that arylmercury compounds undergo coupling reactions with alkenes when treated with either stoichiometric or catalytic palladium reagents. In the early 1970s, Heck reported that these reactions could also be carried out using less toxic aryl halides in place of the mercury reagents, giving rise to the modern form of the reaction. This transformation has become known as the Heck Reaction."
Philippine scientists recalled Dr. Heck for being recognized for designing a method of building complex molecules that has helped fight cancer, protect crops and make electronic devices. He had conducted many of his early palladium experiments with his own hands and, 30 years later, could still recall every detail, from the color of the liquids to the temperature of the oil bath. Until his last years in our country, he had been an excellent mentor who molded many students into organic chemists.
Dr. Heck and his wife settled in Manila after he retired from the university in 1989. His wife died in 2012. Since then, her family had cared for him while he underwent medical treatment.
Described as very kind, helpful, humble and quiet by his immediate family members, Dr. Heck opted to settle simply in our country. His immediate associates likewise described him as "so simple and very human and very humble and disliked public attention, despite his achievements." They wished that his contributions to the chemical society and the whole world will be remembered.
Until his last years, he continued to share his knowledge as adjunct professor in a university. By attending conferences and seminars, he continued to inspire young individuals to pursue their dreams-and be somebody in the field of science.
The world recognized his great contribution to humanity. But the son of a department store salesman and a housewife remained to be simple until his death. Our country, as his final resting place, is such an honor for he has made his remaining years felt by the Filipinos, as a scientist as a well-grounded person.
Dr. Heck is indeed right when he said that "I had never thought the simple work of planting an empty yard would bloom and peak into an achievement of the noblest honor in the world of science." That an ordinary boy from an unknown part of Massachusetts could well make his science change a whole lot everyone's life." Thank you for your contribution to the world and your great appreciation to our country.
Indeed he has found the meaning as a scientist in what he had been able to make of his country, in what he had been able to contribute to significantly better the lives of peoples across cultures and societies.
The magnitude of attention and the worldly provisions that this world can offer to Dr. Heck was overtaken by his appreciation to our country, manifested by his decision to settle for good here. Had he been accorded with apt medical attention on his last few days in our country could have a wonderful curtain call for a man whose contribution the entire humanity is the recipient.