He was the medical “face” of the nation for 2 administrations.
C. Everett Koop, the grandfatherly former surgeon general with the distinctive beard, died yesterday at his home in Hanover, N.H.
Koop was originally a pediatric surgeon, who rose to near stardom as surgeon general from 1981 to 1989 during the Reagan administration and the early months of the administration of George H.W. Bush. He is best remembered for his conservative reputation, his tough stance against smoking and his frank talk about the AIDS epidemic in America. His pleasant nature and ability to connect with the American public to provide explanations in understandable terms, elevated the role of surgeon general to new heights.
C. Everett Koop was 96.
"..his frank talk about the AIDS epidemic in America"…
That's certainly what I remember most about him.
May he R.I.P.