Jim, and others,

I never had the privilege of meeting the man but have certainly heard his
name mentioned numerous times. My condolences to you and to those who are
touched by his passing and suffer the pain of this profound loss. Rather
than grieve, I will choose instead to celebrate his contributions to a
discipline (ours) that continues to grow and evolve through the vision and
passion of people like him. Thanks for sharing.

Vinnie



Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue
Suite 309
Charleston, SC  29425
ph:  (843) 792-6353
fax: (843) 792-8974
email: Dellav@musc.edu

>>> <burch007@mc.duke.edu> 02/01/00 08:43AM >>>


Dear Histonetters,
Mr. John Paul Phillip Picket just passed away. Mr. Picket was the manager of
histology and other pathology labs here at Duke for many years. Following World
War II, he came to Duke and worked until his retirement in the mid 80's. "Papa"
as we called him was an innovator and tinker.
Some of you might not know this, but he invented the closed system tissue
processor. I remember the prototypes of the Lab Tek processors in the histology
lab. Mr. Pickett received the Histotech of the Year Award from NSH.
Mr. Pickett hired me back in '78 and gave me the opportunity to be where I am
today. He was always supportive of his techs and encouraged us to think.
Emotions are high at this point, so I will close. Good-bye Papa.............

Jim Burchette, HT(ASCP)
Duke University Medical Center
Dept. of Pathology
Immunopathology Lab
Durham, NC