On Nov. 18, 2008, we lost one of the finest pediatricians in the United States, and a good friend, Dr. Roger Gollub. Roger was a next door neighbor of mine in University City, Mo., where we both grew up. He was 10 years my senior, and I did not see him much in our hood. I became reaquainted with him in Anchorage. Though we did not know each other for a long time during my time there, he was forever a mentor who I could not help but admire and respect.

Sadly, he was brutally murdered near Kotzebue, Ak., by a drunk operating a snow machine, while running a dog sled for his first time ever. The details are just too sad and awful to repeat here. The sled dog operator, Tracy Schaeffer, also was nearly killed and endured immense physical hardship and great costs. (She was a hero that night, and deserves great praise.)

After 26 long months of waiting, on Feb. 1, 2011, a jury in Kotzebue ruled that Roger’s killer was guilty of manslaughter (felony), assault 1 (felony), and DUI (still a misdemeanor in Alaska). A charge of murder 2 (felony) was tossed out by the judge. Then, finally, on May 18, 2011, the sentence was given to the killer: 11 years for manslaughter, 9 years for assault-1st degree, and 5 years of a suspended sentence, plus a fine of nearly $450,000 for restitution. This kind of senseless crime is all too common in Alaska and largely tolerated by indifferent lawmakers of both parties, the public, lenient judges, and a culture in the state that accepts DUI violence as both normal and acceptable--despite the huge costs of DUI-related murders and DUI-related injuries. (I do not make these statements lightly; these views are the result of engaging state officials and indifferent, aloof lawmakers and watching how the state's criminal justice system--notably the judiciary--shamefully handled many elements in this case.) Note, the State of Alaska's Office of Victims Rights earned my enduring respect; they held the fire to the feet of those who would prefer to do little in the face of such horrific violence. Great job OVR. You are making Alaska better with your efforts. Though the prosecution was slow to prioritize this trial, in my opinion, the prosecutor in this case delivered, to the relief of hundreds of Roger's many friends and admirers.

That said, I have not forgotten what is important, and that is the goodness that Roger brought to so many of us, in Alaska and beyond. To honor Roger's greatness, I have updated my tribute to him. The picture seen here is classic Roger--how he presented himself to his thousands of adoring Native pediatric patients. Roger, I will always, always miss you buddy, but your spirit lives on. I smile contagiously thinking about your incredible life and contributions to this world. L'chaim, friend. L'chaim.