Peripheral dopamine receptors in cardiovascular therapy. The legacy of Leon Goldberg (1927-1989).

Leon Isodore Goldberg, Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine and Chairman of the Committee on Clinical Pharmacology at The University of Chicago, died May 8,1989, after a brief illness and an illustrious career. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cardiovascular pharmacology and medicine, Hypertension invited us, Leon's colleagues during the major part of his career, to review the breadth of innovation he brought to the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Although we will shortly describe his scientific contributions, it is appropriate to begin with a brief reflection on the personal qualities that endeared Leon to his many colleagues and friends around the world. Among the countless tributes paid after his death, one characteristic was identified above all others: his unassuming, friendly, nonconfrontational approach to life. When on the losing end of an argument there was always the graceful exit with "Well, I have only been thinking aloud!" The circumstances under which one of us (J.D.K.) first met him illustrates the essence of his personality: "It was the summer of 1967 in Montreal. I was presenting a paper at the Canadian Federation. From the back of the room someone asked a question and, in reply, I referred him to Leon Goldberg's work. I did not realize that the person asking the question was Leon himself. That evening, at a mixer, Leon sought me out and introduced himself and we laughed at the incident. Of course neither of us knew the answer to the question. I relate this anecdote as it shows how