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The UNC Department of Neurology held an online memorial service on July 23, 2020, for Associate Professor Daniel I Kaufer, MD, who passed away on July 2, 2020. Speakers included colleagues, family, friends and patients. A recording of the event may be viewed below.


Original poem read during the memorial service

Kimberly Brownley, PhD, CIP, wrote an original poem, The Bridge, that she read during the memorial. The poem is a tribute to the passing conversations she would have with Dan while crossing over the pedestrian bridge on Manning Drive.

The bridge.

Thousands every day, passing over, passing through, passing the time.

Until the passerby passes by.

Heads down, fretting, ciphering, searching for a new way.

Heads up, occasionally, gazing at the sunset shining ‘goodbye’ for another day.

The bridge.

White coats and scrubs. Bandages and backpacks. Strollers and stethoscopes and blank stares.

Hurried and harried and happy and hopeful.

One step at a time.

For the first time. For the last time. For the day. Forever.

The bridge.

A place to pause, share a thought or a smile, find solace, lose track of time.

By chance, by design, by intervention divine.

How are you? How is your dad? What can I do?

The bridge.

Reminds me of you, Dan.

And I am so glad.


Contributions

If you would like to continue Dr. Kaufer’s legacy, three UNC funds have been set up in his honor:

  • The Daniel Ian Kaufer, M.D. Memory Disorders Memorial Fund
  • The Daniel Ian Kaufer, M.D. Professorship in Neurology
  • The Dr. Daniel Kaufer Lewy Body Dementia Fund

To make a contribution, please visit unchealthfoundation.org/kaufermemorial and select one of the funds under “Top Funds.”

Checks should be made payable to the “UNC Health Foundation.” Please note on the check which fund you would like to contribute to. Donations may be sent to:

UNC Health Foundation
123 W. Franklin Street, Suite 510
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

If you have questions, please contact Aron Johnson, UNC Department of Neurology at (910) 409-2973 or aron_johnson@med.unc.edu.