Robert B. Edgerton

Dr. Edgerton was a very special mentor for me during my academic work on stigma of people with mental retardation (e.g., "Lives in Process") during the period 1974 to 2004. His work on stigma in the lives of people with mental retardation significantly influenced my work in this area in many ways. I followed him at his presentations at the AAMD national conferences and talked with him when I could. He was always open, available, and encouraging. Later he authored the Foreword of my book, "Confronting the Stigma in Their Lives: Helping People with a Mental Retardation Label" published in 1997 (Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas). He also participated on the Review Team of NICHD for a research proposal that I submitted when I was a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia which I deeply appreciated.

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My condolences to the Edgerton family. Dr. Edgerton was my dissertation advisor and mentor at UCLA during 1972-75. He was an extraordinary and gentle presence that helped make a way for me to combine by anthropology with courses from the Neuro-psychiatric Institute and thus, give help to my work, and wings to my understandings.
I am today a retiring (2018) professor of medical anthropology largely because of Robert's influences on my life. His life's work, his words, and his kindness have lived on in my life. I am forever grateful for Robert's involvements in my formative professional years. Know he was a gem to the many students whom he mentored. Myself included.
Dr. Vincent E. Gil, UCLA, Ph.D., 1975.