How can we forget our mentor Prof. Baki!

January 23, 2015 was the 7th death anniversary of Prof. Dr. Baki Komşuoğlu, MD, PhD who was the Legendary Rector of Kocaeli University, Founder of Kocaeli Faculty of Medicine and Affliated Hospitals, and Mastermind of Umuttepe Campus. Prof. Sezer announced the sad news on the morning of January 23, 2008 “I lost my other half, Professor Baki Komşuoğlu is no more.” I commemorate my mentor Prof. Komşuoğlu with respect, compassion, and gratitude. He was 62 years old. His demise was untimely, and he had lots of projects to complete. He was a dear friend, respectable scientist, successful physician, faithful spouse, and devoted father. Perhaps, we did not realize his worth when he was alive. He was diligent, productive, participative, and a tolerant friend who hated hypocrisy and lies. When we consider our unfavorable experiences we encountered, and actions that we wanted to take, we admit that my mentors’, Prof. Komşuoğlu’s, decisions were appropriate, and his predictions were accurate. We always commemorate our mentor, Prof. Komşuoğlu, who once said, “As children of the Republic, it is my foremost principle to internalize and defend democracy and reforms made by Atatürk. We always miss and remember our mentor Prof. Komşuoğlu who left behind pleasant memories.