Several people have asked me, "how was he as a boss?" Here's a brief summary. I've worked at the Medical Examiner Department for 15 years. Dr. Hyma loved his job. Whenever he was scheduled to perform autopsies he was elated. If you read the accomplishments listed on his resume, he should have been arrogant and impossible to work with. He wasn't. He did not scream or raise his voice. He was our voice of reason. He had an open door policy. People would ask for five minutes of his time. No matter how many times that five minutes lead to one hour discussions, he always made time for everyone. When anyone sat down to talk with him (whether a new employee, a college student, an attorney or a doctor - whether for a conference or an unscheduled meeting) everyone walked away star struck with the same sentiment, "he's so humble." Humble doesn't begin to describe him. When he received the Milton Helpern Award, recognizing outstanding service in forensic pathology, he was deeply touched but couldn't believe that he was receiving something that only a few pathologists, including Dr. Joseph H. Davis, had received. Over the years, Dr. Hyma has lead our department with the same honesty, patience, compassion, commitment, and love as his mentor, Dr. Joseph H. Davis. For Dr. Davis' memorial, held on April 16, 2013, Dr. Hyma said, "our success as a department today is in large part a result of standing on the shoulders of a humble giant. His legacy lives on in our department and in all those who serve and will serve there." I consider it a privilege to have known these wonderful men. Dr. Hyma loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and he loved the employees at the Medical Examiner Department. Dr. Hyma was extremely religious and accepted his destiny. He maximized his final days on earth with such clarity and composure. How will our department say goodbye to such an intelligent and well-respected boss? We shouldn't say goodbye - we will say, as Dr. Hyma did at Dr. Davis' memorial, "until we meet again, may you rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord."
Leslie