Birth date: Apr 22, 1924 Death date: May 2, 2024
Dr. Derrick Lonsdale, a venerable pioneer of Preventative Medicine and a cherished pediatric doctor at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 100. Born on April 22 Read Obituary
He saved my son's life when others gave up.
Dr Lonsdale saved my life by writing his book about Thiamine deficiency.
I was going downhill fast, health wise, and nobody could tell me what was wrong. It was by chance I came across his book and I am so grateful to have that chance. I hope his family know what an incredible, ongoing impact he is having. If only more professionals would listen.
Dr. Lonsdale was the most influential physician on my career in helping children with special needs. I lecture at medical conferences, often quoting his work, in the hopes to continue his legacy. The world is lucky he shared his knowledge with such integrity, generosity and kindness.
First of all,my deepest heartfelt condolences to Dr Derrick Lonsdale's family. I am from India. A few years ago,I had an email communication with him on Thiamine as he was an expert on that topic.He had answered all my questions via email.I was very much thankful to him for that. We will be missing a true genius.
My sincere condolences to Derrick's family and friends. He was a truly remarkable man!
Here is a tribute video I made to commemorate his passing:
I didn't know you personally, Dr. But you saved my best friends' life. May your family leave peacefully knowing all the good you did in this world
Thank you for your work
Dr. Lonsdale saved my life and the lives of many people with my condition. In 2015, I had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic called metronidazole; at its peak, I lost the ability to walk and speak, went to the ER three times, and was hospitalized for two days, with my doctors unaware of the mechanisms of my condition. The antibiotic is a thiamine analogue, destroying the vitamin on contact, which plummets the victim into a sudden severe thiamine deficiency disease.
I spent over two years randomly becoming sick, getting better, only to be bedridden again, and not understanding why. It was through Dr. Lonsdale's textbook, articles and guidance, that I was able to make a 90% recovery in my condition through thiamine supplementation. Since then, I've worked to get this information out to others who have had an adverse reaction to this medication, and formed a support group online that is about to top 4,000 members, people who have improved or even fully recovered due to Dr. Lonsdale's vast knowledge and innovation.
In 2019, I drove to Cleveland and had the honor of meeting this great man, treating him to brunch, and we talked for hours. He encouraged me to keep pushing to get the information out to help others, and I cannot be more grateful for all the advice he has offered me over the years. I've had the chance to see so many people benefit from the research he's pursued throughout his life, including my own experience. I am sorry I missed his funeral; I just found out about his death. Today will be a sad one, but more than anything, I am so thankful for this wonderful, intelligent, beautiful man. Thank you so much, Dr. Lonsdale. You are my miracle.
Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr Lonsdale, who - while they are all mourning him as a loved one they knew - can all be very proud of the professional contribution he made to functional medicine which now has a global, popular reach. I am from South Australia, and have so appreciated the knowledge he and Dr Chandler Marrs have shared with so many. I have voraciously read as much of his writing as I could, including all his comments, and shared in on to others (including to integrative GPs who had never heard of it, and professionals working with dogs, who were amazed at the difference thiamine made). A quote from author Terry Pratchett: 'The span of someone’s life is only the core of their actual existence.' Dr Lonsdale's work will continue to grow and benefit so many, in ways he will never see, but so many will be grateful for. Sharon, Adelaide
Dr Lonsdale once thought I was a physician, and sent me his B1 book. I had to inform him that I was not a physician but had education as a Nutritionist. I offered to return the book, but he said no just keep it that's fine. We had some email exchanges about Thiamine. He seemed like a wonderful man and I don't have that book anymore but I have his others. A brilliant man that I learned a lot from which I'm forever grateful.
Dr. Lonsdale's willingness to go beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine to explore the potential of Thiamine therapy to correct problems resulting from "increased need" or deficiency dramatically changed the lives of my entire family for the better. We are very grateful for his amazing intelligence, willingness to go beyond the confines of conventional medicine to study a preventive approach to disease and, above all, his dedication to his patients. We are so lucky to have had him in our lives.
Nancy Mueller, Todd Mueller, Brian Mueller, Howard Cash
