Abstract
Robert J. Waters, JD 1955–2010
Telemedicine lost a legal giant on October 27, 2010 with the passing of Bob Waters. Bob's enthusiasm and interest in telemedicine touched us all in some way. His legacy will be felt for many decades to come as his contributions have helped shape telemedicine as an integral part of healthcare reform. His experience in the legislative process, garnered from his career on Capitol Hill, provided him with the necessary tools to help us all move telemedicine forward. His experience helped guide many of us, for which we are all grateful.
He founded the Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law in Washington, DC, and served as an active member of the American Telemedicine Association and its board. His efforts with these organizations provided the foundation from which new policies, guidelines, and legislation have and will flow.
His personal interest and dedication to this field have provided us all a key lesson in the kind of person it takes to make a difference. Bob Waters' efforts in telemedicine will be sorely missed. The field of telemedicine is in a much better position today because of Bob Waters. His passion is resident in all of us. As we move this field forward, we will do it with reverence for a great pioneer and leader.