In Memoriam Brain and language as a passion Andre ´ Roch Lecours (1936–2005) On June 12th, a serene and calm summer morning, Professor Andre ´ Roch Lecours passed away. The field of aphasiology lost a scholar who devoted his profes- sional life to the mysteries of the mutual relationships of brain and language. RochÕs absence will be deeply felt by many. Eulogies in professional publications tend to empha- size a personÕs professional accomplishments, and there are many to record in the case of Andre ´ Roch Lecours. But to restrict this eulogy to those aspects of Pr. Le- coursÕ life would be to miss a great deal of what made him the man and the influence he was. Roch—as he was used to being called—was in many respects larger than life; he was driven by passion in all of his activi- ties, whether it was his abiding interest in brain and language, birdwatching, collecting masks, reading poet- ry, appreciating music, or, most of all, exploring people as individuals. RochÕs passion led him on a never-ceas- ing quest for new experiences and knowledge. He was intrepid and seemed audacious in breaking new ground, personally and professionally. He seemed to embody the view that Je suis humain et rien de ce qui est humain ne mÕest e ´tranger. He was the ultimate ecumenicist, interest- ed in every culture, every background, and every family and personal history; he was totally nonjudgmental about personal matters, always curious to know how lifeÕs decisions were going to play out and completely welcoming. Yet, at the same time that he was constant- ly exploring new horizons, Andre ´ Roch Lecours was one of the most grounded people we have known. He never for a moment lost sight of his identity as a French Canadian, or of his particular position as an educated, traveled, French Canadian intellectual living at a time of great change in French Canadian culture. Because of this combination of exploration and rooted- ness, his circle of friends was vast, and he was generous in sharing his friends. He both helped those of us com- ing from outside Montre ´al to be welcomed and to be a part of his group; as well, he was important to those of us from the Montre ´al group to be launched into the wider international world of science and cultural life. Roch was also grounded in individuals; he was stead- fastly devoted to old friends, his trainees, and col- leagues. Long before the word ‘‘mentoring’’ gained its current cachet, Roch was the consummate mentor, be- cause he was the consummate friend and scientific enthusiast. Andre ´ Roch Lecours was born on March 11, 1936, in the village of St-Jacques de Montcalm, north of Montre ´al. His father was a family physician who had always been attracted to research. His mother was a model of both intelligence and sensibility. After having completed his pre-university years at the Colle `ge St-Laurent, he did his medical training at the Universite ´ de Montre ´al. Aphasiolo- gy was not yet in the picture; the medal of excellence he was awarded during his residency was in obstetrics. However, one clever mentor, Dr. Raymond Robillard, a neurologist, suggested that he should consider pursuing a fellowship with Dr. Raymond Adams, chief of the neurology service at the Massachusetts General Hospital. And so he did, along with his wife, Jose ´e Beaudet, and his two young girls, Brigitte and Anne. In addition to the Massachusetts doi:10.1016/j.bandl.2005.08.012 www.elsevier.com/locate/b&l Brain and Language 95 (2005) 361–364