Jeffrey P. Davis, M.D.
August 22, 1945 - January 16, 2018

"I just learned of Dr. Davis' passing and feel so fortunate to have reaped the benefits of his leadership in public health in Wisconsin. He showed respect, intense curiosity, and a true collegiality with all of us who solicited his advice and guidance. What an amazing man. My condolences to all of his colleagues at the WI Dept of Health, his friends, and his family."

"Jeff was a much respected colleague (and beloved mentor to many) ... not just because of his epidemiologic knowledge and insightfulness, but his kind, gentle, and supportive way in working with others. Public health has lost a quiet giant. With much sadness, Paul and Jeanette Stehr-Green"

"Jeff was truly passionate about public health and mentoring; he always found time to review mentee's work, and to give them opportunities. I was privileged to first work with him in 1995 through ACIP when he was the Chair, and later with EIS officers who investigated pertussis and parapertussis. Starting in 2007, I had the pleasure to work with him on mentoring and supervising EIS officers. Dr. Davis always had a good story to tell on some investigation and was a joy to work with. He is missed."

"Dear Roseanne and family -- so very sorry to hear, may peace be with you all. With deep sympathy, Dave and Carolyn Benforado"

"Presently on assignment in Africa, a colleague just informed me of Jeff's passing. I am deeply saddened. Jeff's relationship with me was life-changing. He mentored me as a medical student, recommended me for EIS, and stayed in-touch over nearly 35 years of public health practice. My sincerest condolences to his family. I will always remember him as great role model and dear friend."

"Jeff was in my elementary classroom from 1st through 5th grade at Henry Clay School in Whitefish Bay. We both graduated from WFB in 1963. We both ended up in Madison working in the health care field. This gave us a connection at the class reunions where we were able to catch up and reminisce. Many, many people , the state of Wisconsin and the city of Madison will miss Jeff and all that he contributed to our well being. Gail(Collins)Grueneberg, WFB class of 1963"

"Dr Davis was one of the first people I met after concluding staff service on Capitol Hill and moving to Wisconsin. What to do for a job with a Public Health degree? He was the ultimate resource. Unending enthusiasm. Not at all self important and seemingly nowhere else to be when we chatted over the ensuing decades. How fitting that his service today was standing room only. His fan base was large and I am honored to be a member of it."

"I'm so sad to hear this! Jeff was my main reason for always crashing the Wisconsin EIS Conference gatherings -- he was such a wonderful and always cheerful friend and colleague (and never ratted me out that I did not have a real WI connection). My heart goes out to family and his bazillions of friends and fans. "

"I knew and was a roommate with Jeff when he was a medical student and I was a graduate student. I was in the wrong major at the wrong time of my life. Jeff was the right friend at the right time of my life. I remember one day Jeff told me that he had read with interest about the interference theory of forgetting. I said, "Oh, what was it about?" Jeff said, "I forget." One evening, on our way to a party, Jeff said that if he saw a woman he was interested in, he would walk up to her and say, "I just dropped my Congressional Medal of Honor. Did you see it?" Did Jeff ever tell you about the "restaruant" he ate at during a trip to the South? The proper pronunciation is res-ta-rooant. One summer Jeff worked for Samuel Kipnis. Kipnis gave him a copy of his autobiography, "The Partial Autobiography of Samuel Kipnis." Why a "partial" autobiography? Because Kipnis was still alive and there was more to come. Jeff told me recently that he no longer had his copy. I told him that it was for sale on Amazon. Now, alas, Amazon says it is "Not in Stock." This year, Roger Kurlander, another roommate of Jeff and me, were planning a partial reunion of our University of Chicago class. We never had a chance. I almost never cry. But as I write this, I am crying. Mark Borinsky "

"Roseanne and Family: Deep heartfelt condolences to you on Jeff's passing. All of us who knew him personally and professionally, and the people of Wisconsin to whom he dedicated his work, had the benefit and good fortune of Jeff Davis. He was the best! Rick Goodman"

"So sad to hear of his passing. Jeff was the best mentor I ever had. When I went to Wisconsin for EIS, part of the reason was because of the strong record of EIS officers who had previously been there. Not only was Jeff always thoughtful about what we were doing, he always put the science first, something that was very helpful during the more politically-challengin assignments to which I became involved, particularly the Monkeypox outbreak in 2003. I always looked forward to having lunch with Jeff when he came to the EIS conference, which I did every year until last year. Jeff cared and there was an optimism and kindness about him and that is what I think most in remembering him. Glad to be part of the lucky club who will always be part of his EIS legacy. Sincere condolences to his family. Mark Sotir (EIS 2002)"

"What I remember most about Dr. Davis was his gracious and selfless support of trainees. When I sat in his office as a young UW pediatric resident, I had no idea what an influential epidemiologist and leader he was. He was a humble genius willing to share his passion with everyone. My sincerest condolences to Dr. Davis' family. -Matt Karwowski, EIS '14"

"A memory from the 1980's: Our heart connection with Jeff began during Hal's first campaign for Dane County District Attorney back in 1982. It is hard to recall just how Jeff became invested, but he was a tremendously willing, capable and enthusiastic member of the team and he surely contributed to our success. We became friends, and knew that he was looking for "the one." We suggested a number of women whose personalities seemed to match his until he said something like: "You don't understand. I really appreciate sweet women, but I do much better with a really smart woman who has a strong personality." It was not long after that he introduced us to Roseanne, and recognized that she was sweet, smart and strong, just what he was looking for. Roseanne, Eli and Ethan, we are profoundly sorry for your loss. Diane & Hal Harlowe "

"I will always remember what a kind, gentle, brilliant, and witty person Jeff was when he was on the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, and I had the pleasure of working with him. May his memory be for a blessing."

"Our heartfelt condolences to Jeff's family. He was th aan admired colleague and mentor -- consumate scholar and gentleman. May he now rest in peace; his extraordinary legacy in public health carries on. Ken Castro (EIS'83)"

"My deepest condolences to Dr. Davis' family, friends, and colleagues. It was Jeff who conducted my first EIS interviews while I was serving at the Marshfield Clinic. Subsequently he was both a mentor and source of encouragement to me as I prepared for my EIS assignment at CDC. Thank you Jeff, Greg Heath EIS'85"

"While in graduate school at UW, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Davis, EIS officers and epidemiologists at the health department investigating a Kawasaki disease outbreak in the Milwaukee County area. To me Dr. Davis was the Sherlock Holmes of the emerging infectious disease world and a truly inspiring mentor. I hold close the many fond memories of that experience. Lisa Patrican"

"I read all these wonderful personal and professional tributes to Jeff and cannot add any thoughts or sentiments that are more superlative than what has already been expressed. I just want to say what I feel the most and that is, Jeff was a very nice person. I will always remember him most for that . Roger Bernier, EIS colleague"

"I worked on public health budget issues many years ago at the Wisconsin Division of Health. Even though I never had any direct work-related contact with Jeff, he always greeted me by name with a smile and a genuinely warm "hello" when we passed in the halls at 1 W Wilson. Dr. Davis was not only a brilliant epidemiologist and an outstanding administrator; he was a true gentleman and incredible human being. His impact goes well beyond the world of public health. I know because I am one of the masses that benefited from his human side. My condolences to Dr. Davis' family. "

"Very gentle and a kind hearted person I have ever met."

"Heartfelt condolences from one of Jeff's med school buddies. Even then, he was a standout guy. May his memory be a blessing."

"I am one of many UW medical students who was mentored and inspired by Dr. Davis. In fact, I said more than once that I wanted to be Dr. Jeff Davis when I "grew up". He was a public health legend and his work with public health trainees at all levels will live on in public health practice across the country for many years to come. My sincerest condolences to Dr. Davis' family."

"I was so sad to hear of Jeff's passing. He was a kind man and dedicated physician and public health professional. I first met him in 1988 when I interviewed for a position at the Wisc state HD, then connected with him later on when he was on the ACIP and we worked together. More recently, he helped guide a doctoral student of mine on a study of blastomycosis. He was a true public health leader, and wonderful person. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing. "

"Dr. Jeff Davis had dedicated his life to making the world a better place. He felt it was important work to promote human health, preventing diseases, and most importantly to share and disseminate new findings to the community in public health, providers in medical communities, and the public. I will always treasure the time that I was given to learn from this great man who was my mentor, teacher, and friend. Under his guidance, I was involved in over 15 publications to share our important results and findings in the field of vectorborne surveillance and disease prevention. Jeff, you are respected and loved and will be missed beyond measure. I was blessed to have you called me friend and colleague."

"A great man and a great professor! He helped develop my interest in a career in public health practice. He was truly an inspiration and his contributions to public health will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on we are all better to have known him. He will be greatly missed! Sincerest condolences to his family. Dipti D. Shah, MPH"

"It is with profound regret that I learned about the death of our esteemed friend and colleague, Dr. Jeff Davis. I remember my State assignment as a young EIS Fellow at the Wisconsin Dept of Public Health (1994-1996), how Dr. Davis took me under his wing, mentored and inspired my growing desire for Public Health and later brought me to where my career is today. I have brought my young family from overseas, my parents were visiting and Dr. Davis and family invited us over and took time to show us true Wisconsin hospitality (honoring the the State's slogan "Your 're among friends" . I remember it was Super Bowl weekend and got us watching the GB Packers; to date, I am a still GB Packer fan. His humble spirit, gentle personality and dedication to the cause of Public Health has been remarkable and I've been privileged to work alongside him. On behalf of my family, I want to extend my condolences to Roseanne, Eli and Ethan in your bereavement. Thierry Roels, Bangkok "

"Jeff was a wonderful person, good to all. I will miss him. Trudy Murphy"

"Jeff was an amazing public health practitioner who served as a source of inspiration and a mentor to many. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and the way in which he facilitated the position statement process through CSTE. He also understood the critical need for a national disease surveillance system and served to promote a more standardized, but well supported process by chairing the CSTE Surveillance Committee for a number of years. He will be missed. Kathleen F. Gensheimer"

"Richard Aronson I had the honor and privilege of working with Jeff for 14 years. He was an extraordinary colleague of exceptional brilliance, warmth, profound commitment to public health, and sense of humor. I felt that I could always be myself with him. I feel a deep sadness along with deep gratitude that our paths crossed. My heart goes out to Roseanne and his family."

"Our hearts are saddened today by Jeff's passing and warm hugs go out to Roseanne, Eli & Ethan. I've known Jeff since high school days on Milwaukee's north shore. Brilliant always, driven to perfection, kind beyond measure & fun to joke around with. I spent a wonderful decade working directly with Jeff at the state health department, watching him and his terrific staff & many EIS officers he trained solve difficult communicable disease puzzles. There was simply no one better out in the field directing investigations. After we moved to Princeton & my role at RWJF, we stayed in touch by phone. Jeff was always available for medical advice, and quite literally held my hand "long distance" after our 9-yr old son's exposure to an especially deadly form of meningitis that killed his teacher in 24 hours. The local health department and school were pretty clueless about how to proceed, so I pulled out our WI CD manual, printed handouts & got Jeff online to provide advice. It is a kindness I will never forget. "

"My heart goes out to Jeff 's family. He was a great scientist and even better person. I always looked forward to meeting with him (often informally) at state and national meetings. He will continue to personify excellence in DPH and clinical efforts. Steve Ebert, PharmD, FIDSA"

"What sad news this is. I had the honor and privilege of working with Jeff over the last 25+ years. We were so fortunate that Jeff participated on our Milwaukee PH Lab's advisory committee. It was an honor to have his brilliance, insights and friendship over these years on many occasions. Jeff's passion for public health was always inspirational. He will truly be missed. My condolences to his family."

"A quiet giant in epidemiology. His own body of scientific work is enormous, but then you multiply it by the scores of epidemiologists he trained and encouraged along the way. I was so fortunate to be mentored by him (a status that in no way stopped in the years he reported to me)! My warmest condolences to his family and colleagues and my thanks to his family for sharing him with the rest of us."

"Dear Roseanne, I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. May loving memories sustain you and the boys during this difficult time. Fondly, Sue Killips"

"Eli and Family- We are so sorry to hear of your Fathers passing. We want you to know we are thinking of You! Denny & Chris Poffenberger "

"When I first returned to Wisconsin and its Department of Health & Social Services as Deputy Secretary and State Health Officer, I had an early visit from 2 public health giants, Dr. Henry Anderson and Dr. Jeff Davis. I quickly learned that they put people above politics, the public's health above personal gain. What wonderful colleagues! Jeff is now gone, but his legacy continues to help untold millions. We all owe him a great debt of thanks and gratitude. On Wisconsin!"

"Dr. Jeff Davis will live on in the hearts and memories of those of us who have worked alongside him in public health practice. My thoughts and prayers to his family."

"Jeff Davis was a quiet hero. He was long the anchor for a dynamic and creative group at Wisconsin Department of Public Health, an enthusiastic leader and supporter of new strategies, who built a remarkable team. He was a long-time friend and colleague, representing and pushing for the best of what public health can be. You always knew that if Jeff called us at CDC, to drop everything else, because it was something major. He called one Friday afternoon in 2006, to discuss a cluster of O157 infections and HUS in Wisconsin. At almost the same time, Bill Keene in Oregon called with a similar cluster, and there on the phone with those two giants, both now passed, it rapidly became clear that that both clusters were likely the result of bagged spinach - the start of an investigation that changed food safety profoundly. He will be missed by so many across several generations of public health. My condolences to his family and to the team at WDPH; I hold him in my heart. "

"Jeff was not only a wonderful person, but a great and skillful mentor. He helped me as I started medical school, as I joined EIS, and as I began my public health career. At each step, he was there with a insightful and encouraging words. The public health community, and I, will miss him greatly. "

"It was a honor to have been able to work with Jeff while at Wisconsin Department of Public Health. He was an incredible man, doctor and advocate for public health. I cannot say enough how sad I was to hear of his passing. Truly a loss for Wisconsin public health as well as the citizens of WI. Your work, dedication and efforts will not be forgotten and your legacy will live on through the scholarship. Thank you for all you did and may you rest in peace."

"What a privilege it is to have known and worked with Jeff. He approached every situation with intelligence, innovation, and thoughtfulness in seeking answers to the most complex public health problems. His death is a loss for so many and he will be greatly, greatly missed. My thoughts and condolences to his family and colleagues. "

"Jeff was truly a gentleman and a scholar. He kept his eye on the public health goal and took the time to connect as a caring person. His death is a loss for public health."

"When I think of major public health outbreaks impacting our community, I am thankful that Dr. Davis was there guiding us along the way....May he rest in peace. Jean Beinemann, Sheboygan WI"

"May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. Julie Hebert "

"I had the privilege of working beside Jeff for thirty years. I cherished him as a colleague and mentor but most of all as a friend. His contributions to the health of those in Wisconsin and beyond cannot be fully measured. He was a brilliant epidemiologist and a warm human being who willingly shared his wonderful sense of humor with everyone. Herb Bostrom"

"Jeff was a passionate advocate for public health, a brilliant scientist, and a great friend and mentor. I was lucky to work with him for some time after my residency, and he encouraged me to apply to the CDC EIS program. It changed my life and I will always be grateful for that. Jeff trained a generation of students in public health and his legacy lives on through them. My thoughts are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched."

"Jeff was a gentleman's gentleman, a warm and caring human being, a brilliant and accomplished professional in selfless service to mankind-- a true mensch. Our love to all the family. Phyllis & Dave Stearns, Sarasota, FL"

"Jeff was a public health hero to whom I am grateful for his scholarship, the outstanding example he set, and his encouraging words. He loved haiku. This one is for Jeff. Doctor Jeff Davis. Public health leader and friend. Thank you from us all!"

"Kudos to the memory of Jeff for a life well and fully lived in service to mankind."

"Words cannot suffice in tribute to someone as wonderful as Jeff. All I can offer is a line that I saw years ago that remains as true today as it did when I first read it: Just remember "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us." -Helen Keller "