To the family of Dr. Michael Gottlieb:

On behalf of the Administration, Faculty and Staff of Queens College, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your loved one, Michael.

May he Rest in Peace,

So sad to receive the news of Michael's death. A true gentleman, brilliant scientist, and friend to so many. Michael used his platform to reduce the suffering from infectious diseases of so many around the world. May he rest in peace and may his family know that he was a treasured colleague.  

Michael was nice to everyone and what a great sense of humor, too. He was always welcoming and very kind. And worked so hard to serve others in the research mission. A giant of a man, with a big heart to match - we will always miss you, Michael.

I met Michael in 2005 at the start of the Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. We soon found ourselves hanging out together in some of the many beautiful places in the world that mosquitoes are particularly fond of. There was no "start-up" phase in a relationship with Michael--he simply engaged you: "What do you think about this science question?" or "What do you think about this ethics question?" Michael had a preternatural enthusiasm and positivity, which he delivered through his amazing smile. He was a pure joy to hang around with. My favourite memory of Michael is when we were paired together as "buddies" on a snorkling trip out on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Michael told me that he wasn't the strongest swimmer, which gave me visions of a daring ocean rescue, but we shared an amazing experience, including seeing sharks and all manner of aquatic creatures among the coral. Michael was a blessing in life and his memory will absolutely remain a blessing to me, as it will for so many who's lives he touched. My sincere condolences to Michael's family.

I was so saddened to hear of Michael's passing. We worked together at the FNIH for years. He taught me to say good morning in Hebrew, which I did every morning as I passed him on my way to my office. I remember he would post interesting things on his door - there was an ad from the 1950s of a child's wallpaper that had DDT dots on it. I quote him frequently to my friends as he told me the leading cause of death for penguins at the Baltimore Zoo was Malaria. It was bittersweet when he retired - he loved his family and was so looking forward to having more time with his grandchildren, but we lost seeing him. The world is a better place because of him. He will be missed.

My heartfelt condolences and kindest thoughts as I remember a fine gentleman. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.

Very, very sorry to hear of Mike's illness and passing.

No doubt that Mike was a PI's PO! He took a special interest in Chagas disease (or maybe it just seemed that way to me) and was instrumental in making sure funding was available for that most neglected disease. He was absolutely critical for the survival of my program and was a big force behind the sequencing of the "Tritryp" genome. 

What always most impressed me was not what he knew (which was considerable) but what he knew he did not know but that we as a community needed to know. He had opinions but also fought for the best to get done. Wish there were many more like him! 

I was saddened to learn of the death of your beloved Michael, and I want to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family.

Although no words can ease the pain of your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you strength, patience, courage, and most of all, sweet memories as you mourn. Please know that love surrounds you.

I have sweet memories of Michael. We shared bagels and coffee after morning minyans. I enjoyed learning from him and with him. He was thoughtful, kind, wise, and so much more. He always asked thought-provoking questions and made insightful comments. Given the health issue he was dealing with, I was impressed by the African American Music Performance program he put together. He was humble and respectful. He was a mensch. May his memory be for a blessing.


With my sympathy
Nancy

Just seeing this news now, and wanted to add my tribute to all of the others here. Michael was such an unusual combination of perspicacity, warmth, and intimate knowledge of key systems and processes. 

I bet many of us never even realized how many "skids" he "greased" for us!

He was a cordial and amusing presence in a vast bureaucracy and thus was and will forever be greatly appreciated!

Best wishes to his family --- he ADORED you all!!

  As are so many, I am personally indebted to Michael in many ways. In the 1980s Michael was key from the beginning of 5 ICIDR Awards with Aldo Lima to return to lead our now 44-year collaboration in Fortaleza, Brazil, which helped us launch our subsequent MAL-ED collaborations that Michael also led.  
  Especially memorable are the rich email discussions we had over this last difficult year about our current writings about evolution and caring that led to Michael’s teaching me about his “Scientists in Synagogues” and “Sinai and Synapses” programs and his March, 2020 email saying “I'm loving this discussion.” 

I and colleagues from Bahia, Brazil, are deeply sad with the news.
Mike was a great scientist and visited us a couple of time as well as our leishmaniasis endemic area. He gave a great support to foreign investigators and to the Tropical Medicine Research Centers.

Edgar M Carvalho

I have known Mike for many decades starting when I was in the extramural research community and he was a program officer for research grants. Michael was always supportive and encouraging to those who were trying to start a career and obtain NIH funding for their work. He made significant suggestions and contributions to the work of others. I knew him initially through NIH review sessions and later through contacts during his time at FNIH. Mike was a very fine person, a person of integrity, highly respected by the community, and always a thoughtful and helpful colleague. While I did not work closely with him, I really feel his loss and I send my deepest sympathies to his family.

So sad to read this news. Met Michael when I was a grad student at a science meeting in the UK (he bought me an ice cream) and seemed so genuinely interested in science. Then again as I transitioned to being a PI. Always went the extra mile to give advice, support, encouragement and direction. Never really got to say thanks.

I first met Mike Gottlieb when he initially came to the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases around June 1974, about 47 years and a lifetime ago. I was about to go to Harvard for Infectious Disease fellowship and he had just left. On my return to the LPD in 1976, I got to know Michael better at first in the LPD and after he left, we kept in touch professionally, at meetings, and at times casually during chance meetings. Michael was smart, uplifting, positive, fun loving, and a joy to be around. Although many try, he attained and lived life as a gentleman and scholar- a life well lived. Like so many others that he knew and advised, I was saddened to hear of his illness and passing.

Michael taught us all a lesson about the power of generosity, personal warmth and integrity. He and I first met in 1978 at Hopkins and every professional and personal interaction I had with him over the subsequent 40+ years was memorable for its thoughtful and caring but at the same time relaxed and frequently light hearted tone. His contributions as both a laboratory scientist and program administrator were extensive and meaningful and he was a hero to both his grantees and professional colleagues. We are so sorry to have lost this wonderful and very special friend.

I knew Mike from the time I was at NIH as a post-doc in the 80’s, and got to know him even more when he was a program officer at NIH. There are many people who knew him much better than I did, but I think I can speak for many to say Mike was extremely well-loved by the scientific community— by all who he interacted with at every stage of his career. He was great at his job, and when Mike left NIH we knew we lost a great supporter for those of us on the outside vying for grants. Mike treated everyone with respect; quite simply, Mike was a wonderful guy- thoughtful, kind, respected, funny, and someone I wish I had known better. He is on a very short list of people that I would say that about. 

I met Michael in the late 1990s when I first came to the Fogarty International Center at NIH. We developed an extramural research training program in emerging infectious diseases with NIAID. Stephanie, Michael and Libby Higgs were wonderful in guiding me through the procedures of creating and competing grant applications. When Dr. Varmus initiated the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria Michael had a predominant role in the complexities of engaging African scientists in doing more and better work in malaria research-and growing the malaria research community in Africa and elsewhere. I remember Michael and Joan dancing at our reception in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2002 celebrating the success of MIM. I recall when Michael followed Stephanie to the NIH Foundation and managed a very complex enteric diseases research adventure, again with FIC scientists. Not easy but the job got done, in great part because of Michael's talent. At Michael's retirement from the FNIH he told me he was going to NYC to be closer to grandkids. The best reason ever! I will miss his lovely smile and informed presence, particularly at the Tropical Medicine meetings where he was a regular.

Michael was our program officer, going back all the way to the late 1980s. He inspired confidence and trust. He admired risk taking, and truth. Michael will be missed but never forgotten. More under "Stories" .....

I feel very fortunate to have started my global health career working with Michael. It was immediately clear how well respected he was and why, as he seemed effortlessly thoughtful in his guidance to the project. I have remembered that experience very fondly over the years. I am honored to now have a role on a team that Michael served with such distinction, and appreciate the challenge we have to live up to high standard that he set. My thoughts are with all those bereaved by this loss.

Michael, you will be on my heart forever and always! May your soul rest in peace mi querido amigo. You will be deeply missed! Love you my friend!

My heart goes out to Michael's family, loved ones and to everyone who loved him.

Our GCGH project was incredibly fortunate to have had Michael as our FNIH program officer. Over the course of our 10+ yr journey together Michael became a dear friend. He was responsible for countless suggestions and direct contributions that helped make our project the great success that it was. Michael’s passing is a great loss for all of us who had the sincere pleasure of knowing him. We will miss his wise counsel, calm perspective, humanity as well as his wicked sense of humor. Even now, I can hear his laughter…

Warmest condolences to all the others he touched and most especially to his sincerely beloved family

I am so sorry to hear of Michael's passing. He was a real gentleman, a particular help to me when I first started at the Foundation for the NIH in 2006, and an inspiration to all who knew him and who had the pleasure of working with him. He had a pretty wicked sense of humor too when you got to know him! He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family and loved ones.

I first met Micheal when I started at the Gates Foundation in 2005. Little did I know then what an important guide Micheal would be both directly and by example for me as I learned about Global Health and philanthropy. He did all that he did with a wonderful and generous approach and a deep respect and commitment to the people whose lives his work would improve. 

Micheal was truly a hero who did so much for so many with so few expectations for himself.