Obituaries

Dr Sollinger performed my kidney transplant in August of 2001. My sister gave me one of her kidneys. My wife and I have an everlasting gratitude for the expertise, professionalism and dedication Dr Sollinger had to his profession and patients. He gave me a new chance for a productive and healthy life as long as I understood the seriousness of being compliant and never taking for granted the sacrifice of my sister's donation and the effort of everyone involved. His gift to so many of us can never be repaid and the world is much better for having had him in it. Our belated condolences to his family and thank you for sharing him with so many of us. He changed the lives of countless people and saved my life. He gave us hope. With eternal gratitude, John and Amy Brennan, Hutchinson,Kansas.

We only just read about the loss of our Dr. Sollinger who performed my kidney-pancreas transplant in 2009. It is still going. We are so saddened by his too-soon death. He was our hero in getting me across that line to a better life and we marveled at his knowledge, expertise, and kindness. He has left a worldwide impact on the field of transplantation and my current transplant doctors in Maryland also highly regarded him and relished his visits and lectures. May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted and proud of their Vati's many accomplishments. (I will fondly remember his and my talks about beautiful Munich, where I lived for 5 years.)

Dr Sollinger was involved with my kidney transplant on Jan 21. 1981. I have had my sister's kidney for almost 43 years and I'm doing well. I have sent a card every year to thank him. I remember him fondly and enjoyed his expertise and humor as my doctor.

Dr. Sollinger gave me my new life on 10.01.2000. A gentleman in all aspects. Thank you Dr., the entire transplant team, the nurses, my referring doctor (Lawrence A. Greenberg), and my transplant coordinator Marilyn Groshek. I literally owe all mentioned my life. I am so grateful. Richard Bowen. Novi, Michigan.

Servus Hans, R.I.P., danke.Claudia Bernhardt- Gramenz, Schulfreundin aus Pasing

Liebe Muffy Ich habe heute erst die Todesnachricht gesehen. Vor 30 Jahren waren meine Eltern bei Euch, weil Euer Vater seiner Cousine Hilde eine neue Niere transplantiert hat. Dafür waren und sind wir ihm unendlich dankbar gewesen. Leider ist meine Mutter 2000, 11 Monate nach dem Tod meines Vaters Erich verstorben. Trotzdem hatte sie noch einige wunderbare Jahre und konnte alle 5 Enkel noch erleben. Ich bin sicher ihr vermisst Euren Vater sehr, aber er wird in der Erinnerung ganz vieler Menschen weiterleben. Liebe Grüße aus München von Petra

Sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Sollinger. He touched our lives back in 2010 when he placed a kidney from my body into my 15 year old son. I thank God for the life of Dr. Sollinger. He was a wonderful man that touched so many lives. I'm sure he will be checking in on all of us from the other side.. God Bless. 🙏🏻 Thank you Dr. Hans Sollinger.

Dr. Sollinger was my kidney transplant surgeon on Feb. 4th 1988, 2 days after my 22nd birthday. He predicted my 1st baby to be a boy and at a visit in 2017 he walked me around the office proudly sharing our 29 year success story. I owe my successful 35 year transplant (still going) to this great man!

I was an admin assistant in Transplant for 14 years. Dr. Sollinger was an unforgettable character. So sorry for your loss. Kathy Kennedy

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Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We are very sad about his passing. Prof Sollinger has helped countless patients that were looking for support where no other doctor would research and intervene further. He had a major impact with the development of the LPHS testing protocol and its treatment of renal autotransplant. In fact, due to his advice he has saved my life - although we have never met in person. We are certain that he will be missed not only in the medical world. We are very grateful for his help. Heartfelt greetings from us. Family Gamber, Germany

My deepest sympathy to Han's family and friends. He is my life "hero". An amazing man which left such a legacy. Greatly missed.

My condolences, he was a doctor who truly care about his patients. He was not carried away by the big money. He speak clearly against the embolization coils and renal stents for nutcracker syndrome. A "Rara Avis" . thank you Dr. Sollinger. You will be forever missed.

I remember being at his house one Christmas. He excused himself saying he would be back shortly, but he needed to see his patients for Christmas. Typical Hans, always thinking of others.

Thoughts and prayers to Dr. Hans Sollinger's family. I knew him as a medical colleague as a nurse who worked with him when her rotated through the Trauma Life Support Center at UW Hospital. He will continue to be forever respected at UW Hospital and Clinics.

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Sollinger, Hans, a good friend and mentor. He will be always in our mind and he will be missed. Sabine und Dietmar Abendroth

My condolences to Dr. Sollinger's family and all his loved ones. Dr. Sollinger had a big heart and a contagious smile. Dr. Sollinger's contributions to the field of transplantation are legendary. He will remain a giant. He has touched the lives of so many- those of us that he trained and those that he healed. I will always remain grateful and appreciative of the opportunities he created for me and his support over the years. Your memory will live on... Antonio and Laura Di Carlo

Hans was a defining person in the development of my career. He was a mentor, a role model and a dear friend. We kept in touch all these years after leaving the University of Wisconsin as recently as earlier this winter! Hans thank you for your friendship and support. My condolences to Mary, your daughters, sons in law and grandchildren. You were a titan of medicine and a Prince among men! We'll always remember you! Millie Samaniego, MD

Christian sympathy to the family. Grea note in State Journal with Toy D'Alessandro proving statistics.George Kroncke, Professor emeritus CT Surgery

It was the honor of my life to have worked with Dr. Sollinger. He showed what was possible then did the impossible. His always keen mind was constantly working to ensure the wellbeing of his patients. With a sense of humor he cut no corners and inspired those around him. He will be missed in every area he touched.

My deepest and sincerest condolences to Mary, family and friends. I was blessed to have witnessed various celebrations between Mary and Dr. Sollinger. Your warm smiles and friendship will be in my memories forever. I miss seeing the two of you greatly. Rest In Power, Doctor.

I mourn the passing of Hans Sollinger, a pioneer in pancreas kidney transplantation and a sympathetic, empathetic and great colleague who was a role model and friend and who I will miss. I fondly remember a walk together in Wildbad Kreuth where he showed me places of his youth and which were characterized by mutual appreciation and friendship. Since my daughter and her family live in Madison, I tried to visit him there 6 years ago, he had just left for Colorado to go skiing and also to celebrate Christmas. My thoughts are with his family and with all who miss Hans Sollinger with me. With silent greetings, Wolfgang Schareck

So sorry to learn of Hans' passing. I have many fond memories from our time together at Endsulin. Jennifer Gagne and family

I am very saddened on learning of the passing of Hans, with whom I spent many years talking about patients, science, diabetes - pancreas vs. islets, all, while having a good meal and some beer. He was a highly skilled surgeon who showed me how to take out and how to put in a pancreas in the middle of the night and tried to convince me to ski with him in Garmish-Paterkirchen. I did not take this challenge because , like in everything he did, Hans was just too good. My deepest sympathies to his family - he was a brilliant, skilled, and honest friend whom I will badly miss. Mark Hardy - a colleague from bygone days when we were both young and ready to conquer the world, which Hans did!

Sorry to hear of Hans passing, I knew him while working at UW and he always had a smile on his face, may he rest in peace.

Hans was larger than life. Wonderful mentor, surgeon, colleague, and a true transplant pioneer whose scientific curiosity and desire to improve the life of patients with organ failure could not be satiated. He gave so much of his life for his patients- and he will be forever missed.

My husband is a transplant recipient from U of Chicago and patient at UW, but we met Hans on a bike ride here in Madison over a decade ago. We rode together for quite sometime and had some great laughs. I was struck by his desire to grind as hard and as fast as possible on his Cervelo with a giant smile on his face. Perhaps a metaphor for his truly unique life. He is definitely a memorable person and the transplant community thanks the entire family for sharing his gifts with us. -The Vande Velde Family

Lieber Hans-Werner, ich kann es noch immer nicht fassen, dass Du nicht mehr bei uns bist. Ja, Du warst ein großartiger Arzt, der mit Überzeugung und Leidenschaft vielen, vielen Menschen geholfen und das Leben gerettet hast. Doch Du warst auch ein liebevoller und bodenständiger Familienmensch und hast Deine Münchner Wurzeln nie vergessen. Wir hatten stets Kontakt gehalten und Du hast uns regelmäßig besucht. Ich sehe Dich noch immer, wie Du mit unseren Mädels am Boden gekullert bist, oder sie mit 'Talkin Tom' zum Lachen gebracht hast. Du wirst uns sehr fehlen. Sag bitte allen im Himmel ganz liebe Grüße von uns. Vor allem meinem Papa (Max.) Wir tragen Dich immer im Herzen. Bettina mit Anke, Sophia, Nina und Tante Linda

In 1989 Dr. Sollinger performed a kidney pancreas transplant on my mom. I'm forever grateful that he gave her back her life. She had more more kidney transplants and he did both of those as well. A rockstar doctor! Thank you Dr. Sollinger

Rest in peace Dr.Sollinger. You gave my husband 12 more years of life. He was the 11th person to get the pancreas/kidney transplant. For the time it gave him was priceless. My deepest sympathy to his family.

I am deeply sorry to the family of Dr Sollinger and sending strength & prayers for peace. He and I worked together since 2007 in the OR. In our time together, it was clear how much he loved his family, being active, and wearing ascots! He helped make me a better person and scrub nurse by challenging me every time we worked together. This world is a better place because he was part of it!

Dr Sollinger, you saved my Mom's life over 25 years ago when you performed her kidney/ pancreas transplant. For that my family and I are blessed!! I also have had the honor to work with you and see your true magic. Thanks for all that you have done for the transplant community. You have left a legacy and for that we all are SO very grateful!!

One of the kindest Dr's to do research in our lab. We had so much respect for him, he was an Amazing person. Who worked to make other's lives better.

I am so sorry to hear the passing of Hans. He was a true scientist, friend, mentor and surgeons. His contribution to the field of solid organ transplant will not be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Felix and family

The premature loss of a friend and teacher who has contributed so much to humanity and mainly in the field of pancreas transplant surgery in the world causes us great sadness. We knew Prof. Sollinger very well and he gave us the wonderful opportunity to be with him and his family in Wisconsin living by a lake that he loved. The stay of our son Javier in his home as well as the occasions that, together with his wife, he visited us in Spain, Tenerife and Lanzarote and his bicycle excursions were unforgettable reasons to know that he is for sure a great person of incalculable human quality. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR MEMORY. We give you a very strong hug. Farewell! We will miss you. Alarcó Family, Tenerife, Spain.

I am so sorry to hear this. Special hugs to his kids and grandkids. My thoughts are with you at this time. Anne (Garlock) Iverson

Dr. Dillinger was an amazing transplant Dr. He truly was my favorite dr he always listened to his patients and cared about their feeling. My heart is sad. I send my condolences to the family. Patient, Latisha McDuffy

I am so sorry to hear the passing of Hans. There are no words to express my feelings. He was a great surgeon, scientist, and human. It was a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to know him and work with him. I am grateful to have memories and spending good times with him. I will never forget his great unforgettable support during my journey. I know that he had a lot of impact on many people's lives. Rest in peace, Hans. You will be forever with us for your impact on people's lives, transplant, and science world.

For me, Hans is one of the most important people that have passed through my life. He welcomed me into his home like a son and that is never forgotten. thank you hans for being part of my life.

Dr. Sollinger was the chair of transplant when I began working with the team. He taught me so much, and remembering that I'm a visual learner, he drew the pancreas and told me how it worked. It was my honor to work with him, and write for him, although I think he thought it was quite fun to alter things to fit in one of his great stories or funny jokes. "Schultzie won't mind." We shared some good laughs and enjoyed discussing all things German. It was my great honor to be a member of his team, and more importantly, his transplant family. My husband and I share our deepest condolences to his family.

To dear Muffy, her family, and Nicki; we extend sincere sympathy over your great loss, and for the world that lost a champion scientist and humanitarian. We send our love to all, Dan and Diane Kaschak

God Bless you Dr. You gave us 29 extra years with our father, Dr. Grant. He passed 2 years ago. You have touched so, so many lives. Truly, a life saver. May you rest in peace. Michael Grant

Hans, I just want to say, because of your conviction, your unselfish attitude and your love of life, I have survived over 34 years with my kidney/pancreas transplant. I feel wonderful because you chose the career you did. I pray you were welcomed into heaven with open arms. Thank you, Joe

So sorry to hear of Hans passing. He was a wonderful physician, researcher, colleague and entrepreneur. He had energy and enthusiasm that was infectious. He has positively impacted the world and will be missed. Lynn Fallon

I will always remember his hospitality and all he taught me in my rotation in 2009 in UWHC. Great physician and human being. Rest in peace, Hans. Alejandro Morales MD. PhD. Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Spain.

I owe Dr. Sollinger my life. I am over 5.5 years pain free from LPHS because of him. He fought so hard for me and others to give us our lives back and I will forever be grateful to him. He has changed many, many lives and for the better. He kept in touch with me over the years and I always enjoyed my conversations with him. The world lost an amazing, gifted soul. I am thinking of his family. He will forever be in my heart.

I owe Dr. Sollinger my life. I am over 5.5 years pain free from LPHS because of him. He fought so hard for me and others to give us our lives back and I will forever be grateful to him. He has changed many, many lives and for the better. He kept in touch with me over the years and I always enjoyed my conversations with him. The world lost an amazing, gifted soul. Sending many prayers and thinking of his family. He will forever be in my heart.

THE best surgeon with such a sweet soul. He will always have a special place in my heart. Praying for Mary and his family!

He saved my graddaughter's life when he performed her kidney auto-transplant 5 years ago. We will be forever grateful.

Rest in peace Dr. Salinger. Your work and dedication has not gone unnoticed and will forever be remembered!

May you find eternal paradise. Dr. Sollinger was the surgeon who transplanted my son when he was just shy of two years of age. He's sixteen now, and still has that kidney. You have had an everlasting impact on our lives and so many many others. Thank you. Many condolences to his family.

Niki and Muffy, So sorry to hear this news. He was one-of-a-kind! He left a mark (sometimes literally) on everyone he touched. He was known for so many impressive feats. Least known was his long tenure as the Chairman of the Sherman Avenue Committee AKA "The SAC". He served with great distinction. He also served appetizers and whisky. We/it won't be the same without him. Carry on Hans!

Rest in Paradise, Dr. Sollinger. My family and I are forever grateful for you and your incredible gift. Praying for peace and comfort to his family.

Dr S saved my life. He is a legend and a truly amazing person. I hope he is peaceful and happy in heaven and I will forever be grateful and I know the entire NCS/LPHS community will be thinking of you.

So sorry to hear about the untimely passing of Dr. Hans Sollinger, a true hero and pioneer in the world of Pancreas Transplant. He was formative in my career. I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to know him. He will be deeply missed. Jonathan Fridell.

I'm grateful to Dr. Sollinger for dedicating so much of his life to searching for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Also, he performed the kidney-pancreas transplant that has kept me alive almost three decades now. ~ Lisa Weinlader

I am so sorry to hear about Hans Sollinger. He has helped many patients and medical professionals. He will be missed. Sundaram Hariharan

RIP. I am alive today because of the wonderful work you did. Thank you

Today, on the 5 year anniversary of getting my life back, I learned that my hero passed. I am so incredibly shocked and saddened. Dr. Sollinger was a true medical hero. He cared for his patients above and beyond what you can imagine, even being willing to do what was right for the patient knowing he may get his hand slapped by the System. I will be forever grateful to the man who gave me my life back and who gave my family their mom and wife back. You will forever be in my heart, Dr. Sollinger. I love you and I thank you! Words will never be enough to express my gratitude. -Cheryl Riffe

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr Sollinger. It was an honor to train with him. He was a warm, gregarious man who I had the upmost respect. Kasi McCune