His colleagues, friends, and students are deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Gabriel Kalifa, a major figure in pediatric radiology in France and around the world.

Initially a student of Jacques Sauvegrain at Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Gabriel Kalifa was appointed Professor of Universities in 1981, then Head of the Pediatric Radiology Department at Hôpital Saint-Vincent de Paul in Paris APHP from 1990 to 2008.

Through the Jacques Lefebvre group, then the Société Francophone d’Imagerie Pédiatrique (SFIPP), of which he was president from 1989 to 1996, Gabriel Kalifa was one of the main driving forces behind the development of pediatric radiology in France. Gabriel Kalifa was guided by an overriding principle: “Together, it’s better than alone.” Every new idea was shared. In this way, Gabriel Kalifa was able to share all available energies, and weave both professional and friendly relationships around him throughout his career and well beyond.

At European level, Gabriel Kalifa was a driving force in promoting pediatric radiology, serving as secretary of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) from 1986 to 1994, honorary member in 1998, and gold medalist in 2008. Throughout his professional life, Gabriel attended every congress on pediatric radiology, and his collaborative dynamism left many of us with magical memories in different cities around the world.

Curious by nature and an innovator, in the 1990s, he met Georges Charpak, the famous physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1992 for the development of particle detectors, particularly the “multiwire” proportional chamber, which was at the prototype stage at the time. A collaboration was formed to develop a very low-dose X-ray machine in his department. This system (EOS), mainly dedicated to spine imaging, soon proved effective in many other applications, especially orthopedic, and is now routinely used worldwide.

Gabriel Kalifa’s charisma, hard work, and unfailing humanity have created a veritable school of young pediatric radiologists from all over the world. He helped, propelled, supported, and gave confidence to many of us, enabling us to pursue and succeed in our careers. His enthusiasm was truly inspiring. Gabriel Kalifa loved to travel and make connections, and many of these relationships have endured.

Beyond radiology, Gabriel Kalifa had many facets. Endowed with a legendary strong and colorful character, Gabriel was deeply sincere, endearing, and caring. He made a lasting impression, and no one could remain indifferent to him.

Gabriel Kalifa had many passions besides radiology. He was highly cultured, knew almost everything there is to know about cinema, loved good food despite his “cursed” diabetes, and loved animals, especially dogs. The list goes on and on….

Cheerful, witty, and always having fun, Gabriel Kalifa loved life. Above all, he cherished his family: his wife Chantal, his two sons and their wives, and his five grandchildren.

Gabriel wished us not to mourn.

Fortunately, he leaves us with wonderful memories that will remain engraved in our hearts, and we try not to mourn.

Catherine Adamsbaum, Valérie Merzoug, and Sylvia Neuenschwander.

On behalf of all friends, fellows, and colleagues.