Epidemiologist Gary B. Beringer, Dr. P.H., age 70, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Jan. 27 at his home in Chicago, IL. Gary, an only child, is survived by his wife, Nancy M. Abbate, who worked closely with Beringer.
Until his death, Beringer was working as the Principal/CEO of Beringer & Associates, providing scientific case preparation for attorneys and law firms, and as a corporate officer and senior researcher at Abbate Group, LTD, which assists foundations, government and nonprofit organizations.
"I think he would want to be remembered as a loving husbandsomeone who was supportive of mewho was ultimately a man of science and an excellent epidemiologist," Abbate said.
Born and raised in New York, Beringer began his education in New York Public Schools, where he showed early signs of extraordinary intelligence. Beringer then transitioned and graduated from Horace Mann School, a college-preparatory K-12 school in the Bronx.
After graduating from Horace Mann, he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1972 from Fordham University in psychology and biology. He then received a Master of Public Health in 1974 and a Doctor of Public Health in 1976 from Columbia University Faculty of Medicine in epidemiology with a concentration in chronic diseases.
Following graduation, Beringer received training as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in psychiatry and a Post-Doctoral Trainee in mental health services research and evaluation at Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 1976 to 1978. Years later, Beringer also earned certificates in mediation from DePaul University School of Law.
Beringer's postgraduate career was diverse and spanned more than 40 years. He worked as a full-time tenured faculty member at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He also served the New York Health Department as Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Planning and Evaluation.
In 1994, he founded Beringer & Associates Litigation Support, which provided attorneys and law firms comprehensive case preparation in civil and criminal matters related to medical, health care and scientific issues. Although based in Chicago, the practice offered services to law firms across the United States. Renowned doctor Pascal James Imperato, MD, MPH&TM, MACP, remarked that Beringer & Associates created "a vital role for epidemiologic analysis in the judicial world."
Abbate said Beringer's intellect was a driving factor in her initial attraction to him. The two married in 1995 after serving on several federal review panels together in Washington, D.C.
"He was the love of my life, a deeply caring person, and had just an amazing intellect and a quest for knowledge of all kinds," Abbate said.
In 2003, Beringer had the first of four strokes he would have over the course of 17 years. The strokes left Beringer living with disabilities including limited functioning of one arm and leg. Beringer continued to work and became an advocate for others living with disabilities. He also served for years on the boards of both AIDS Foundation Chicago and the Near North Health Services Corporation.
At this time, the family is not accepting flowers, but donations can be made to AIDS Foundation Chicago.