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04/07/2021 Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
The Passing of Ronald Valmassy, DPM
It is with great sadness to inform you that one of the legends of Podiatric Biomechanics, Dr. Ronald L. Valmassy, has passed after a two-year battle with cancer. Ron is survived by his lovely wife, Helen, his son, Paul and his granddaughter Maggie. Ron left this world peacefully on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Dr. Valmassy was the most patient, caring, and enjoyable professor that we ever had CCPM. Ron was not only my favorite Professor of Biomechanics at the California College of Podiatric Medicine (CCPM), but was also the Chairman of the Department of Biomechanics from 1974 to 1987. During that time, Dr. Valmassy taught thousands of podiatry students, residents and podiatrists on podiatric biomechanics not only at CCPM, but also nationally and internationally. He was also a worldwide authority on podopediatrics. Dr. Valmassy's classic biomechanics textbook "Clinical Biomechanics of the Foot and Lower Extremity" is still considered one of the finest textbooks on podiatric biomechanics ever published. As Chairman, Dr. Valmassy was my supervisor during my year of Biomechanics Fellowship from 1984-1985. He became my mentor with his calm manner, professionalism, keen intellect and caring personality. There was simply no one else like Ron Valmassy and I will never forget all he did for me during my Biomechanics Fellowship to make my sometimes difficult journey through that year the most rewarding educational experience I have ever had. Dr. Valmassy will be sorely missed by the many students and residents that looked up to him during their years of training while in podiatry school at CCPM. He was always willing to give helpful advice during our years as podiatry students. In addition, even though being extremely busy, he seemed to always find the time to answer questions from us as students and give us unending support during our journeys toward becoming podiatric physicians. Dr. Ron Valmassy was my professor, colleague, and friend. He was, and still is, my ideal podiatric role model. Rest in peace, Ron. Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
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04/09/2021 Russell G. Volpe, DPM
The Passing of Ronald Valmassy, DPM
It is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Ron Valmassay, DPM. Ron was a leader in biomechanics and podopediatrics education, and patient care, throughout his career and he was the WestCoast role model for me throughout my early years training to subspecialize and teach in podopediatrics. Here on the East Coast, I was fortunate to have teachers and mentors in biomechanics and, especially, podopediatrics including, Herman Tax, Joe Wernick, Joe D’Amico, Mark Caselli, and Paul Jordan.
It was Ron who played that same pivotal role at CCPM during those years, and beyond, for so many in our profession on the west coast. He was teacher and mentor to countless students, residents and colleagues and he helped immeasurably to grow podopediatrics into a robust, and respected, podiatric subspecialty, In the ensuing years, Ron was always incredibly generous with advice and answers whenever I called on him. He was also a marvelous resource in San Francisco when patients and colleagues would ask me for a referral for expert podopediatric care in the Bay area. It was always a great honor whenever I got the chance to lecture with him on podopediatrics at a conference and got to spend some time with him in person, where his kindness and generosity were always evident. I would also like to mention his lasting contribution to biomechanics understanding and education with the textbook he edited and wrote for, Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity. I was honored to be included among the authors in that text, having been invited by Joe Wernick, still early in my career, to co-author the lead normal mechanics of the foot chapter with him. It remains one of my proudest professional accomplishments and Ron’s leadership, wisdom and contributions made that text into what it is and continues to be. Our profession and the subspecialty of podopediatrics has lost one of its true giants and he will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Helen, son Paul and his granddaughter, Maggie, Russell G. Volpe, DPM
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