A friend and colleague
November 9, 2009
Our dear colleague and cherished friend Gilbert Kombe passed away unexpectedly early Friday morning, November 6th, 2009, at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Karin Theophile Kombe, a son, Adrian Kafita, and daughter, Emily Porter, of Takoma Park, Maryland.
Gilbert was important to us professionally and personally and had a great impact throughout the world as a clinician, professor, project leader, mentor, and friend. His colleagues describe him as larger than life, one who could juggle multiple professional commitments but always putting his family first. Despite all of the demands on his time, he personally touched so many of us.
Gilbert was at the forefront of applying health systems strengthening approaches to the global HIV/AIDS response. His technical leadership and vision were recognized throughout the international community. Gilbert is remembered for his infinite patience and his ability to work in any setting, be it a local clinic in Nairobi or the Global Fund headquarters in Geneva.
A native of Zambia, Gilbert received his M.D. degree from Tongji Medical University in China and his MPH from George Washington University.
To make a contribution to the Kombe Children College Fund, please send your check, payable to Kombe Children College Fund, c/o Abt Associates, 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 800 North, Bethesda, MD 20814-3343.
Information about memorial service planning will be available soon.
We invite you to share condolences, tributes, and memories of Gilbert with each other and with Gilbert’s family by posting in the comments section below. If you wish to send photos or other mementos, please email info@healthsystems2020.org. These memories will be compiled into a book and given to Gilbert’s children, so that they will always know the wide net their father cast in his professional and personal life.
May 23, 2010 at 6:36 pm
This is a shock to me. I’ve been away from the States for almost two years and had no idea about this horrible news. Dr Kombe was an exceptional individual, who I am unable to forget. He was a great friend, a colleague and a true professional. I am deeply saddened and send my condolences to Gilbert’s lovely family.
May 6, 2010 at 7:52 pm
brother, you have not gone away, you are still living in each and everyone of us whose lives you have touched immensely
Dr kombe was an exemplary teacher to me , when i first came from nigeria he explained to me the differences i should expect between african and american style of education early which helped to adjust and eventually got my masters in public health
it is not how you passed brother but how you lived you were a good man god bless you and your family
April 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
family: from mum – Hilda Kombe Zambia Mansa 65years my son you were a Dr spiritually and Physically. You had a vision for your life and the whole family. I thank all your friends and workmates for appreciating your contribution in their lives when I’m financially ready i will come to say bye to your resting place. thanks for the family left behind mum from Fridah Kombe – sister in Lusaka zambia. Our hearts will remain broken forever, you were a pillar in the family.Your kindness Patience and wisdom cannot be replaced. Your Humbleness still amazes us.Until we see your restingplace. We shall not forget your care for children + mother.You cared for everybody with out complaining. Rest in eternal Peace.
April 13, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Dr. Gilbert will be greatly missed by all, especially people from his parish and everyone who’s life were touched.
March 13, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Dr. Kombe was a good friend and a professor of mine at George Washington University. We met in 1994 when I was working at Howard University College of Medicine Department of Community Health and Family Practice. We forged a strong working relationships, that we we invited him to come to present to students and help us in writing/preparing HIV/AIDS grants.
In october, 1998, I joined Dr. Kombe at GWU, and under his supervision we conducted a substance abuse survey in Washington, DC. During this project period, I was able to see Dr. Kombe negotiations skills, understanding of the health issues, and how with a smile managed to put and maintain a winning team together. The outcome of this project led to other projects.
He was truly committed to helping others with public health work in developing countries. He worked hard and always found time to return calls. His committment to Sub-Saharan Health issuses was indicative of his interest in Africa. He traveled and worked with many people from all over the world. The last project I worked with Dr. Kombe was on Tuberculosis and AIDS in Europe.
We who are left behind must carry on his work in Africa on HIV/AIDS as the disease continue to kill and destroy lives in Africa. Rest in peace my brother and my friend!
Sincerely,
Jimmy Kamau, MPH,MPA,Ph.D(abd)
March 11, 2010 at 11:01 am
It’s with a deeply emotion I’m writing theses words as Gilbert was a special mister. I known Gilbert for the first times at October 2006 during one of his visit in Cote divoire as part of PPP project based on this country which became HS20/20 project. And I was a member of PEPFAR country team. I was deeply impressionate by his widely understanding of africa health system challenges and the ways to solves theses bigs challenges.
Africa lost one of his key actor to achieve the health system goal in order to help african people.
Gilbert may your soul rest in peace and we will not forget all your contribution to improve world people life.
March 4, 2010 at 3:45 pm
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January 15, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Dr. Kombe was my first mentor in the United States. Arriving fresh from Nigeria in the summer of 2001, he made me feel at home at GW, and ignited the passion in global health that is now my career. Gilbert was the ideal mentor – kind, considerate and able to take a personal and professional interest in all his students. When he left GW a lot of us felt like we had lost our guardian angel. Rest in peace, Dr. Kombe, and may your good works continue to live on in the hearts of all those you care for – the teeming poor and powerless of the third world.
January 15, 2010 at 8:41 am
I miss Gilbert. Little did I know that the meeting we had during his father’s memeorial in Mansa Zambia was the last. I remember vividly the upbuilding words, brotherly advice and the support he provided to his family. I shudder to think that Gilbert will no longer respond to my mails because he is no more.
May the Good Lord strengthen the Kombe family in this very trying moment. I mourn Gilbert…What a loss!
January 13, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Karin, Adrian and Emily Kombe,
All my sympathy to the family here i.e. US and back home in Zambia.
May the Creator of the Universe provides you with courage and strengthens you all.
He was a great teacher and surely, his former students and colleagues will miss him.
December 26, 2009 at 1:21 am
What a shock. I was just now “Googling” his name to see what he was up to now – we met briefly in 2005 and during a work lunch he shared pictures of his wife and children. There was so much to learn from him professionally and though I did not know him on a personal level it appeared that he had achieved a good work life balance. I am so sad for his family and I pray that they draw strength from his legacy.
December 21, 2009 at 2:08 am
My heart goes out to Karin, Emily and Adrian on the untimely death of their dear husband and father. I never knew Dr Kombe – but it is very clear, from the messages of condolence that he was a great man. Hold on to the sweet memories you have of him…I lost my father at age 3 – but my mother, family and friends kept his memory alive in our hearts – I really appreciated it. May his soul rest in eternal peace. I also pray that God gives Karin, children and Kombe clan the Grace they need during this difficult time.
December 19, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I did not know Gilbert, although i suspect we may have met having been brought up in Kitwe myself. My thoughts are with his family. Like Gilbert i have gone out to help the disadvantaged in my spare time in the UK working with 100 Blackmen.
Bwalya Chileshe
Engineering Director
December 11, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Gilbert Kombe – a gentle spirit, a calm presence – so much to do, so little time to do it and yet, so much accomplished. I remember, traveling to Cape Cod, with colleagues and their families to an extraordinary wedding of a co-worker. Such joy, such beauty, his lovely wife and children, all of our families united in the happiness of the moment. Seize the opportunity for every good purpose, make a contribution, do your best, follow his footsteps. May he rest in peace, may his mother, his siblings, his extended family, his wife and his children, know in their hearts and be consoled that though his time was cut short, he truly made the world a better place. My sincere condolences.
December 11, 2009 at 6:25 pm
It seems like just a few years ago, Gilbert was my student at GWU. I remember his thoughtful remarks in the discussions. I would like to add my sympathies to his family and friends.
December 11, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Gilbert was my friend, colleague and teacher. His passing leaves a void in my heart and in everyone who had the privilege to know and/or work with him. He is already terribly missed. Please accept my deepest sympathies to all of Gilbert’s friends and family.
December 11, 2009 at 9:13 am
As I reflect on my memories of Gilbert, I remember the hard worker, the mentor, the optimist, the sea of tranquility that was Gilbert. But through all the memories, sifting out the irrelevant details of everyday life, what emerges as the essence of the man, the real Gilbert in my eyes, is the loving father, the family man. When Gilbert spoke of his children, there was a sparkle in his eyes, love emanated from his every pore. He was so proud of Adrian and Emily. His love for them was almost palpable. Through the hardship of his early loss, I hope they can still appreciate that they are fortunate to have had a dad who was really one in a million.
December 8, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Dear Gilbert’s Family:
It can never be easy to lose someone who played such a profound role in your life. I trully feel for you.
I met Gilbert 8 years ago when I was starting my professional career in international health at a lecture he gave. I was very impressed with his confidence, and he managed to instill some of that in me. He took me to lunch, and really showed me the ropes. The advice that he gave ran from technical to practical, and they have become guiding principles for me.
I am sorry for your loss. You should know that there was never a conversation that we had where his family did not feature.
December 7, 2009 at 1:39 am
Gilbert —
Colleague, friend, visionary, leader.
Prankster, fellow working parent, one time WACO neighbor.
I struggle to understand how you could be taken from Karin and your children, and from those of us with whom you shared your professional life so suddenly, so young, and when so many depended on you.
I find comfort in continuing the things you would have insisted on, imagining our exchanges, our disagreements, your charm and persuasive powers, and thereby allow myself to believe I can hold onto at least a small part of your spirit.
December 6, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I join Gilbert’s family in the US and in Zambia, his neighbors, his colleagues, and the broader global health community in being profoundly saddened by his death. It remains very difficult to comprehend and accept.
Though I first met Gilbert in 2001, I really got to know him when he became the senior technical advisor for the Private Sector Program in Ethiopia almost three years ago. Over time, I also leaned on him as a mentor and thought of him as a friend.
When staff in Ethiopia learned of our loss, several commented that Ethiopia must be one of Gilbert’s most important programs. In contrast, I knew that Ethiopia was a smaller task in his long list of commitments. Yet, I understood why staff believed that we were high on the list. When Gilbet came or called, he listened intensely and then provided both broad vision and detailed guidance. He also took time to build personal relationships with staff and policymakers.
Though I recognize Gilbert’s sharp intelligence and deep experience; I think first of his personal qualities, when I think of him. I think of his charisma and his intense intellectual and physical energy – all bound together with a giant, high-contrast smile. In spite of this powerful presence, he was consistently humble and deeply respectful in his interactions. This respect – coupled with his meticulous preparation for briefings and his ability to cite relevant international experience from personal experience – created a rapport and captured the interest of even the busiest policymakers.
On his first trip to Ethiopia, Gilbert reviewed the work plan for a new mobile HIV counseling and testing activity with the team. Gilbert pushed them to add more detail, and a long debate ensued over how much detail was necessary. Gilbert remained positive and deferential throughout the discussion. Eventually, the team added the strategies which were partly formed in their minds to the plan and learned something important about better planning.
Gilbert thought about programs simultaneously in practical, operational, and clinical details. He guided us to focus on all of these dimensions when deciding what we should do, and how we should do it. Our strategies and implementation plans for mobile HIV counseling and testing, public-private mix for tuberculosis, and antiretroviral treatment in private primary care clinics reflect his multi-dimensional perspective.
We know that Gilbert was an articulate advocate at the international level for health systems strengthening. In Ethiopia, he expressed his conviction in a practical way by helping us to expand our program designs to include strategies for strengthening the supply chain, improving human resource management, integrating information systems, and improving governance. He seemed to relish working on strengthening the system at this practical, grassroots level.
Over time, Gilbert instilled in us some of his powerful confidence. He urged us to try new things – but to think in clear details while planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting. Gilbert valued action and encouraged us to get started by solving problems, to learn by doing, and to make necessary adjustments along the way. His enthusiasm and optimism about the potential to make significant improvements through incremental steps rubbed off on us.
Gilbert pushed us to write about our work. He wrote some of the reports, helped us to plan others, and was always a careful and constructive reviewer. In keeping with the character of a man who was always sharply and stylishly dressed, he insisted on giving products good structure and visual flair. He wanted to share our work and committed significant time and energy to publications and presentations.
As a mentor, Gilbert made unexpected calls or sent quick emails to check on progress or to offer moral support as I dealt with tough challenges. An hour of problem-solving with Gilbert could create a month of work to implement the recommendations. Many of his emails began by saying “this is a wonderful opportunity” even when the question which incited his response seemed more like an intractable problem to me.
Gilbert always seemed to be trying to respond to a huge range of work demands. This made it frustrating to try and capture his time. However, I had the impression that he stretched himself thin because he wanted to make the world a little better in many different places, and he also felt obliged to respond to the many people who called asking for help.
For the past year, I know he was trying to find an overseas position which would enable Gilbert to spend more time with his family. This made sense because whenever I asked about his family, his smile would flash and he would report on how his children were growing, using himself as the measure. He relished telling short stories about his kids’ progress in school, friendships, karate, and soccer. Several times I watched him sort carefully through myriad possibilities to select presents he thought would be ideal for his family.
In spite of his dedication, intensity, and hard work, when I think of Gilbert, I will ultimately think of his light-hearted, fun streak. He said his new post in Mozambique was going to be “tons of fun” because he would gain time with his family.
Once he was in Addis before Christmas and he went to a wine tasting hosted by the Italian embassy. He loved one of the wines and was intent on getting a case to share with his neighbors at the Kombe family’s annual holiday party. He described the pleasure of cooking and preparing for the party, then dancing, eating, and laughing with friends. He thought it would be great fun to share the unusual wine with friends. He was not deterred by the hassle of carrying the wine, but only by the embassy’s commercial attaché who could not figure out how to sell the wine.
Gilbert told stories of how he enjoyed learning and practicing karate with his family. He would sometimes head over to Addis Ababa University on the weekend to join a pick-up soccer game with the college students. He was fit enough to play with guys less than half his age in a city at 8,500 feet.
Once I saw the shoeshine boys in front of the Hilton mob Gilbert. I asked why they were so enthusiastic. He explained that he challenged them the prior day to a cross-country race through the poor neighborhoods around the hotel. He relied on the boys to avoid getting lost, and then gave them prizes because they “managed to beat him.” The boys were after him to schedule a rematch.
As I remember Gilbert, I will focus on how he believed in our team and in what we could do, and pushed us to think more carefully, try harder, and do more. I will also think about how he worked intensely but still managed to find or create fun wherever he went. That does not change, even if he has left us far too soon. I hope that we can extend Gilbert’s presence by trying to integrate in our work and incorporate in ourselves some of his wonderful qualities as a human, professional, mentor, and friend.
Our sincere condolences go out to Gilbert’s family,
Kathleen Poer and the Private Health Sector Program Team in Ethiopia
December 6, 2009 at 10:01 am
I did not know Gilbert. I read his abituary in the Washington Post and was saddened by the passing away of such a brilliant, selfless worker, mentor and father. After reading his story, I felt like he was the brother I never got to meet while he still was with us in the Washington, DC area. Not only because he was a kind individual and such a role model to many, but also because parts of his and my life have run parallel to each other. I am originally from Africa. I went to study on a scholarship in China, met my American wife there, returned to my country after my studies in 1988, and eventually came to the US to go to grad school and be with my wife. The stories and comments I have read about Gilbert’s remarkable life – from his friends, students and colleagues – are so inspiring. He indeed left us too soon. My most heartfelt condolensces to you Karin, Adrian, Emily and the rest of the family.
November 25, 2009 at 7:55 am
Dear Karin,
I am greatly saddened to read about your dear Gilbert. I remember those days and the times at Tongji Medical University in China in 1988/1989, our apartment, you as the qizi and the fun we all had riding bikes around Wuhan. What great achievements he made since then.
My contact details : Dr Patricia Thomson PhD, Box 606 Esperance, West Australia, 6450. patriciathomson@westnet.com.au
I would love to hear how you are going.
My fondest regards and concern. Trish
November 24, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Dear Gilbert,
It is hard to believe you are no longer with us. There is a real void in our little corner of the 5th floor. Yesterday I spoke to Grace Masuku at the Mission in Swaziland. We talked about you for a long time, before reluctantly moving on to talk about HS 20/20’s work. We started discussing the HRH costing, when she suddenly stopped mid-sentence and with total candor wondered aloud – “How am I going to explain the HRH costing process to the Permanent Secretary without Gilbert?” It was a poignant moment because it so clearly showed that whether it be here in Bethesda or Swaziland or Poland or whatever far flung corner of the earth, there are so many people feeling lost without your presence, depth of experience, and guidance.
I admit that working for you could sometimes be a challenge. But after a few months of getting accustomed to your management style, learning how to effectively stalk you via every method of communication possible, and that one critical conversation we had following Parsa’s resignation, we established a mutual understanding. An important part of the equation was your constant humility, approachability, sense of humor and sound perspective. I will miss your hounding to attend soccer games, our conspiracy theories about Zimbabwe and President Mugabe, and running jokes about our favorite, rogue client.
We all know how passionate you felt about your life’s work, especially in Africa, and how important it was to you. One of the things you did so well and so often was to push your team beyond our comfort zone and force us to grow. Ironically, the more we fought for your time, the more you insisted we could do the work on our own. So in your honor and equipped with the confidence you always seemed to have in us, we will keep pushing and growing in order to move the work forward as you would have wanted us to do.
Respectfully and with deep sorrow,
Victoria
November 24, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Dear Adrian, Karin and Emily,
I am so sorry about Gil. He was a truly great person, who will be missed greatly. I would never wish this on any of you. I hope all of you and all of his family in Africa are hanging in there. Remembering him with smiles and not with tears.
And, as you can already tell, by the number of responses to this sad announcement. Gil will be mourned all over the world, and never forgotten. I am so sorry for all of you, and you are all in my thoughts, even though we are an ocean apart.
Love,
Caroline
November 23, 2009 at 7:58 pm
It is hard for me to imagine that I will never see Gilbert walking down our hallway and I still haven’t gotten used to walking past his empty office.
I will always remember and treasure the conversations that I had with Gilbert, both work related and otherwise. I will remember fondly the jokes we shared about my indifference to go running in the gym when on a TDY – something Gilbert just couldn’t believe and always urged me to take my sneakers when traveling.
Gilbert, you inspired all of us who worked with you and we will miss you deeply.
November 23, 2009 at 9:50 am
I have known Dr. Gilbet Kombe since last year. But I feel as if our relationship dates back at least for a decade. I found him to be a passinate person who communiccated from heart. I was happy knowing him thinking that he was a fellow African with such deep understanding not only of his subject matter but the larger problems in Africa. It is saddening and a pity, a man of such stature passed away at the age of 49. May his soul rest in peace and my condolence to his breaved family and all colleaagues and friends around the world?
November 20, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I met Gilbert in China while we were students,i was a student in Guangzhou(Sun yet san)and he was in Wuhan.
I was deeply sadden by his untimely passing, he will be greatly missed.
MHSRIP.
Eliam
South Africa
November 20, 2009 at 4:37 am
I met Gilbert in the summer of 1994 at the CCNV homeless shelter in DC where I was posted as a freshman medical student. It did not take long to separate the fact that ‘doctor’ simply described what Gilbert did for a living, but not who he was as a person. Kind, considerate, caring, and passionate about the lives he touched, homeless or not. Years later when I enrolled at GW SPHHS, that aspect had not changed. The number of people he had touched had. There were more he had reached, and I expected to hear that from my classmates not in what they said, but how they said it. And I did. Over and over. Gilbert, you gave us the academic knowledge, but what we’ll carry with us is how to deliver the message. When we look back we’ll see footprints, footprints that led us to where we are, and when we turn, footprints firmly placed in our path ahead. A path that you walked.
RIP my brother, my friend.
November 20, 2009 at 12:55 am
Dr. Kombe was an inspiration to me a one of my most revered professors at GW SPHHS. His loss is great, first and foremost to his family, which he always talked about and cherished so much, and then to the field of global public health. Gilbert was a man of innovation, strategic thinking, collaboration, and known for his commitment to what we all strive to do–give people a better way of life. He will be severly missed. I can remember seeing him at USAID several months ago and seeing his passion eight years later had not changed, and promising to follow up for lunch to catch up. Gilbert, we will always remember you.
November 19, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Like so many, I’m shocked by Gilbert’s passing, and my heart goes out to his family. He was a dear, sweet man. I loved working with him. He was an inspiration. I’ll never forget his sense of humor, his genius, and his comradeship.
November 19, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Grace
Intellect
Love for Humanity
Bright Smile
Energy
Respect
Teacher
November 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Dr. Gilbert Kombe was a friend, collegue, and a scientist. Since I know him in 2007, he was a fantastic mentor and coach. He had a unique characteristic to care about people. And he was very…very…very…. productive.
He was a very good technical advisor for Private Sector Program in Ethiopia (PSP-E). Looking at his level of support and his products, he seemed to be an Ethiopian working for PSP-E. He had been listening to all of us. He gives value for citizens to get developed and improved.
He is a person whom I am always proud of. Let God rest him safely and condolences to his family.
November 19, 2009 at 9:34 am
“The Truly Great” by Stephen Spender
I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.
Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are feted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.
November 18, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Heartfelt condolences to the Kombe family on your loss… Dr. Kombe was a great inspiration to many in this world, and he will live on in the good works of the people he touched. I saw him speak at a briefing for the U.S. House of Representatives, back in 2005-06, on the topic of health worker shortages in low-income countries. He was the most well-spoken, thoughtful member of the briefing panel, and I recall being very moved by his words. Even these short interactions can leave an impression and change the course of a person’s life and work.
November 18, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I can’t express the intense sadness I feel about Gilbert’s untimely passing. Gilbert was kind, thoughtful and a very capable professional. I only wish I had known him better. We sat on the same floor at Abt, although we never worked together. We often crossed paths when gettting tea. Most recently I asked what most excited him about his upcoming move to Mozambique. He said, with that beautiful Gilbert smile, showing my children all the wonderful sites there will be to visit. I could see how much his family meant to him and my heart goes out to them.
November 18, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Dr. Kombe was definitely an inspiration to me. I met him as a student at GWU and was thrilled to have him as a lecturer as I had heard so many good things about him and also because we both came from Kitwe, Zambia. Despite his hectic schedule he would always find time to meet with me, to check up on me and even took time to meet my family when he was visiting Zambia. I often think about how he has inspired me to continue my work in Public Health. He was unique in that he was so accomplished yet so humble. I send my deepest condolences to Dr. Kombe’s family and pray for strength during this difficult time.
November 18, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Dr. Kombe had a remarkable life and was a wonderful physician and educator. My sincere condolencies to his family and friends.
November 18, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Marjola and I were very sad to hear about Gilbert’s death. The last time I saw Gilbert was two years ago over a beer at the Hilton in Addis. Despite having worked with him on PHRplus from 2001 to 2004, it was really the first time I had spent much time with Gilbert, and I remember being so impressed with his energy, intellect and concern for others. What a loss for the global health community to which he was so committed and for his family and friends. He will be missed. My sympathies to his family, especially his two children.
November 18, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I never knew Dr. Kombe. I saw his obituary in the Washington Post and thought what a remarkable life. It’s sad that he died young. But, what a life he lived! My thoughts are with his family.
November 17, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I am deeply saddened by Gilbert’s passing, and my heart goes out to his family and friends. Gilbert and I were classmates during our public health master’s studies at George Washington University, and I remember him as an exceptionally enthusiastic, hopeful, compassionate, humble and intelligent person. I remember his energy and broad smile, both of which seemed to embrace life wholeheartedly. He was very present to the people and needs around him. He related with both heart and mind. He was sincere and seemed fully dedicated to the truth. He inspired people to care, to become informed, and to be a part of the solutions to important global health problems. He will continue to inspire those whom he has touched. So let us carry the torch forward.
November 17, 2009 at 5:55 pm
My deepest condolences to the Kombe family. He was my favorite professor at GW during my MPH. Years after I graduated, he still took the time to meet with me to offer professional advice. A very sad loss…
November 17, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Gilbert has been one of the true “constants” at Abt since I joined in 2004 and I am very saddened to hear of his passing. We have lost a very special person and my heart goes out to his family.
I had the great pleasure to get to know Gilbert a bit more personally when he invited me to give a guest lecture for his class at GW. He specifically wanted me to talk about infectious disease surveillance and we had many interesting conversations about the topic leading up to the lecture and even in the car on the way there. I appreciated his perspectives, based in years of on-the-ground practical experience combined with a very broad vision honed after years of working at the international level. His dedication to his family and his work were truly inspirational. It is hard to imagine that the next time I return to Bethesda, I will not be greeted by his broad smile.
November 17, 2009 at 4:29 pm
It was with profound sadness that I learned of Dr. Gilbert Kombe’s passing. Gilbert was deeply respected by all who knew him through his many contributions in his public health work and teaching. He worked hard, but found time to provide advice and facilitate learning experiences for those seeking to make a difference in public health. His support while I attended the MPH program at George Washington University was invaluable. Through the years, we have shared many ideas and experiences on improving health programs in Africa. We will miss Gilbert as a colleague and friend.
To Karin, Adrian, Emily and the rest of Gilbert’s family, we feel privileged to have known Gilbert and share in your loss. Mary Mulusa, World Bank.
November 17, 2009 at 10:12 am
For many years Gilbert was one of the key facilitators during the Warsaw course for TB managers in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. I met him in this course in 2004 and will always remember his excellent skills as facilitator and warm personality. Within 2 days he had convinced the audience that things can be done in a different way: not by telling them but allowing them to discover the answers themselves. He will always be remembered as a great example and inspiration for us all. My thoughts are with his family. Ineke Huitema, The Netherlands
November 16, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Dr. Kombe was a special gift to all of us who have been around him one way or another. He was my instructor at GWU and my supervisor when I worked with him on some of the projects for Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia as a consultant at Abt Associates. His interest and passion for medicine and his commitment to international public health was contagious. He had this great ability to engage the very
best in each person around him. The thing that always amazed me about Dr. Kombe was his gentle and good heart, his humility and his profound respect for each person he encountered. He was such a model for me and for many. His kind heart and brilliant mind have been a blessing to many of us who have had the privilege to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family.
November 16, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Never have I known someome who could get things done in such a gentle way. That is what I loved most about Gilbert — so kind yet immensely effective.
He was funny. And the only thing better than his sense of humor was a warm smile that followed a practical joke — letting you know that is was ok to have a bit of fun.
He was pasionate about medicine. Once we were stranded in a small village in Tanzania. While we waited he must have helped the entire village with one ailment or another.
Above all he loved his family and his community — working so hard to be a role model and a friend. We have Karin, Adrian and Emily to thank for giving us so much of his time to support those that needed his resounding intellegence and wit all around the world.
With great loss and an abundance of wonderful memories, Jill (a colleague and friend from the GWU days)
November 16, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I was moved to write you after reading A Local Life in the Post this weekend. Your father sounds like an amazing man, a gifted doctor, and a wonderful human being. I am so very sorry for your loss. Reading about him has touched my life, and so I can only imagine the effect that his life had on those fortunate enough to know him. With deep condolences.
November 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Dr. Kombe was one of my favorite professors at GW: I was always impressed at how a person so obviously brilliant could remain so thoughtful and humble whilst among his students. My heart goes out to his family.
November 17, 2009 at 4:33 am
I could not have said it more completely. A truly remarkable man. My thoughts are with his family.
November 16, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Dear Karin, Adrian, Emily,
I was stonished by the terrible and unexpected loss of Gilbert.
Gilbert has a tremendous contribution to the professional life of many WHO experts; he will always be our model.
You have all the reasons in the world to be very proud of your husband and daddy!
Sincere condolecies,
Dr Domnica Chiotan
WHO expert in TB control
November 15, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I had the opportunity to discuss by phone with Gilbert about haelth policy in Côte d’Ivoire. After I said myself, this man is very educated.
Sadness, sadness
Thoughts to his family and more specifically to children
January 17, 2010 at 10:24 pm
I am greatly saddened by the news of Dr. Kombe’s passing. As a student, I remember highly anticipating an introductory course that he taught within the International Public Health program and feeling somehow lacking when I realized that it was the only course that I would take with him as the instructor. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to his wife and children.