If ever anyone believed in the promise of the human spirit, it was Dr. Gunnar Dybwad. He was Professor Emeritus of Human Development at Brandeis University and former Director of The ARC of the U.S. Gunnar was referred to as the "Grandfather of Mental Retardation" advocacy, a nurturer of the parent movement, and a champion of the Self-Advocacy movement. To us at the Federation, he was a friend and generous supporter. On September 13, 2001, at the age of 92 years, Gunnar passed away in his sleep.

A few years ago, the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) honored him by announcing the Dybwad Humanitarian Award, in honor of him and his late wife, Dr. Rosemary Dybwad. It was recognized that, "his mind, heart and hand had been visible in virtually every significant legal, ethical, and moral debate during the 20th century on the rights of persons with mental retardation and other disabilities." Gunnar delighted in challenging conventional assumptions, in raising expectations, and in demanding a humane world for all persons, especially those with disabilities. 

Gunnar, always the optimist, constantly reminded us that much has been accomplished for people with disabilities over the last century. In 1994, he presented a paper at the 118th meeting of AAMR entitled From Feeblemindedness to Self-Advocacy, A Half Century of Growth and Self Fulfillment. In this paper he articulated the accomplishments that took us from the Eugenics movement to the Inclusion movement of today. 

Robert Perske, in his book Hope for the Families, wrote, "It was Gunnar and Rosemary Dybwad, leaders in the voluntary parent movement in North America, who began calling our attention to the principle of normalization . . . ." As a result of their work, Perske noted in another book New Life in the Neighborhood, "Today we find that when persons with disabilities are given the same freedom and support to grow and develop as anyone else, they often surprise us. When you begin watching the measurable progress of your neighbor that closely, you get hooked and learn that your friend develops according to his or her own blueprint of growth--as the rest of us. And you wonder, why wasn't I aware of this before?" By modeling this wondrous awareness, Gunnar and Rosemary helped each of us to become aware, whether we were their student, a parent of a child with a disability, or a person with a disability. 

It's been nearly nine years since Rosemary passed. Some of us speculated that Gunnar would be lost without her--and he was in many ways--but he did not let that squelch his spirit. He went on with his work, and sharing his love, wit and wisdom with so many of us. In recent years, he finally finished his book New Voices and worked with his former students to edit his speeches into the volume Ahead of His Time. I always loved to receive his Year-End Letter. In 1998, he spoke of his sadness about the deaths of two younger friends, Herb Lovett and Mary Ann Allard. He wondered why they should precede him in death since their work was not yet done. Recently, he finished organizing the last of his papers and notes and declared his work done. 

For me personally, I had the privilege of sitting on his deck, driving him to meetings and using the time for some personal tutorials. During my time here at the Federation, he was a guide, a counselor, and a friend. 

Gunnar was aware of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and remarked in a quiet voice, "I'm not able to fix this one." At 12:30 a.m. September 13, Gunnar entered a peaceful rest. Though his body grew tired, his mind was alive and burning with ideas to the very end. His spirit of optimism lives on in those who have been touched by his love, his urgency, and his passion for all humanity. Even for those who never knew him, his imprint on this world has brought acceptance and hope to those society had deemed unworthy. May he rest in peace.

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