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When Adolphe Franceschetti died on March 8, 1968, the world lost not only a great ophthalmologist, it lost a truly great and truly beloved man. This was quite evident to those who attended his funeral, among whom was the writer of this note. Franceschetti's colleagues who had come from everywhere to pay their last respects to him showed signs of grief which made it obvious that they had not come to fullfill a duty. They were there because their heart told them to come. The great crowd of his patients who attended - from the ex-Queen of Italy to the little old janitor - were there not because they had lost a beloved doctor. They had lost their best friend in need.
Franceschetti's was in truth a most unusual personality. Seemingly gruff and domineering he yet radiated a warmth and humanity which evoked in response love and unfailing loyalty. Only his closest friends knew - and those discovered it piecemeal and by accident - how much good he had done for his fellow men. He was apt to pay transportation, hospitalization and medicines out of his own pocket for some impecunious patient about whom he had heard. No one, to the knowledge of this writer, has done more for his colleagues from Central, Western and Southern Europe in the darkest days of World War II, helping them to get to Geneva, supporting them, giving them a spot in his clinic.
These are the things that are not generally known about Franceschetti but must be said to do justice to his memory. That he was one of the great ophthalmologists of our day is recognized the world over. And even here one must look at the list of his publications which number well over 500 - or read the speech made by his pupil...