webfact Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Nobel prizewinning scientist dies in povertyMANILA: -- After years of illness that left him nearly penniless the 2010 Nobel Chemistry prizewinner Richard Heck has died aged 84 in Manilla.Famous for his Heck reaction that he discovered in the late 1960s and then spent three decades refining, he won the Nobel for it along with two Japanese chemists working in a similar field. -- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-10-12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Interesting. So he was an American expat in the Philippines. Known for the Heck reaction. Impressive regardless of his end. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_F._Heck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABCer Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 I'm not strong in Latin. There is something about "so passes the fame of the world" - Sic tranzit gloria mundi - not sure? People with classical education can help to correct me. Shame... Ungrateful humanity... Did it have something to do with cracking natural oil??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKnave Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 He shared the 2010 Nobel prize in Chemistry with two Japanese scientists. He had been living in Manila (Quezon City) since 2006, married to a Filipina, who passed away in 2012. He reportedly had been depressed and in poor health since his wife's passing, and was being cared for by her nephew. He was reportedly living on a pension of USD$2500 per month (not that it's really anyone's business...). Medical bills apparently broke him financially, as a result of chronic illnesses, and the acute gastroenteritis that killed him. R.I.P. - there but for luck go we all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empireboy Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 RIP no more suffering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keesters Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razer Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 So few leave behind a legacy that means anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABCer Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? But one supposes if you where in Aussie you would be demanding an MRI if you were getting it done for nothing and they said you didnt need one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheungWan Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? The cost of operating an MRI scanner is expensive. Medical expenses are the elephant in the room for any expat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyngai Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? For the shoulder MRI that I had one year ago, in New York City, the insurance pay fee and the self pay cash fee are both 400usd = 14,000bt. In smaller USA cities, the MRI fee is about 25% higher, less patients use the expensive machine, the more the operators need to charge to make the profit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABCer Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? But one supposes if you where in Aussie you would be demanding an MRI if you were getting it done for nothing and they said you didnt need one Sorry to be obtuse. What are you trying to say by that? I repeat: Local specialist said he wants to see it. I refused on the grounds of Hospital charges being unreasonably high. And you say... what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli42 Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Wow, does that suck. Well at least he left the world with something of value. More than most of us ever will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timber Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 A bit hard to appreciate a back bencher in Congress or the Senate retiring after 4 years of doing nothing getting a significant pension for the rest of their life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasset Tak Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? Public hospital, I just say public hospital! I had a health checkup with EVERYTHING: - Complete blood works. Including STDs, cholesterol, rare deceases (elephantiasis was one of them) minerals and everything else. - EKG - EEG - Chest x-ray - Abdominal ultrasound (kidneys, liver etc.) - Workload test of respiration - Psychological evaluation and MORE. All that for ONLY 1000 Baht! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgordo38 Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 A bit hard to appreciate a back bencher in Congress or the Senate retiring after 4 years of doing nothing getting a significant pension for the rest of their life. As I keep telling my Thai g/f there is no fairness in life. She and her family are proof of that. Unless the sperm that created you came from a golden faucet your in for a world of hurt unless your another Bill Gates which most of us are not. Yes the world is full of opportunity but only for a select few. And as this thread states even with a brain firing on all cylinders you can still get mired down in poverty. Life has many crossroads sometimes we make a left when we should have turned right. Touch wood I have been lucky so far and the goalpost of life is in sight. I just hope I do not drop the ball at this stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicog Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 What did he invent again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
car720 Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 He shared the 2010 Nobel prize in Chemistry with two Japanese scientists. He had been living in Manila (Quezon City) since 2006, married to a Filipina, who passed away in 2012. He reportedly had been depressed and in poor health since his wife's passing, and was being cared for by her nephew. He was reportedly living on a pension of USD$2500 per month (not that it's really anyone's business...). Medical bills apparently broke him financially, as a result of chronic illnesses, and the acute gastroenteritis that killed him. R.I.P. - there but for luck go we all... There but for God's grace go I................. and I'm not religious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purushanti Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 I'm not strong in Latin. There is something about "so passes the fame of the world" - Sic tranzit gloria mundi - not sure? People with classical education can help to correct me. Shame... Ungrateful humanity... Did it have something to do with cracking natural oil??? You get a 99% from this classics teacher. Keep the same sound, but change the z to an s in "transit". above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
losworld Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 We live in a very screwed up world where Wall Streeters make millions in bonuses often feeding off corrupt funds while scientists such as this go largely unrecognized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABCer Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 A bit hard to appreciate a back bencher in Congress or the Senate retiring after 4 years of doing nothing getting a significant pension for the rest of their life. As I keep telling my Thai g/f there is no fairness in life. She and her family are proof of that. Unless the sperm that created you came from a golden faucet your in for a world of hurt unless your another Bill Gates which most of us are not. Yes the world is full of opportunity but only for a select few. And as this thread states even with a brain firing on all cylinders you can still get mired down in poverty. Life has many crossroads sometimes we make a left when we should have turned right. Touch wood I have been lucky so far and the goalpost of life is in sight. I just hope I do not drop the ball at this stage. Good luck to you, elgordo. Try not to drop either of them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briggsy Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Die in S.E. Asia and the immediate topic is money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheungWan Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 A bit hard to appreciate a back bencher in Congress or the Senate retiring after 4 years of doing nothing getting a significant pension for the rest of their life. As I keep telling my Thai g/f there is no fairness in life. She and her family are proof of that. Unless the sperm that created you came from a golden faucet your in for a world of hurt unless your another Bill Gates which most of us are not. Yes the world is full of opportunity but only for a select few. And as this thread states even with a brain firing on all cylinders you can still get mired down in poverty. Life has many crossroads sometimes we make a left when we should have turned right. Touch wood I have been lucky so far and the goalpost of life is in sight. I just hope I do not drop the ball at this stage. The sheer profundity of your contribution caused me to lose the will to live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabothai Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 So few leave behind a legacy that means anything. many legacies unnoticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 He shared the 2010 Nobel prize in Chemistry with two Japanese scientists. He had been living in Manila (Quezon City) since 2006, married to a Filipina, who passed away in 2012. He reportedly had been depressed and in poor health since his wife's passing, and was being cared for by her nephew. He was reportedly living on a pension of USD$2500 per month (not that it's really anyone's business...). Medical bills apparently broke him financially, as a result of chronic illnesses, and the acute gastroenteritis that killed him. R.I.P. - there but for luck go we all... The Nobel money would have been split three ways...and then a third to a half probably went to Uncle Sam so it may have netted to 150k or a bit more. Not much if you have high medical expenses in a foreign country where one self-insures. I wouldn't call a pension of US$2500 exactly "pennyless." If things were really tight, he could have returned to the US and he would have been covered by Medicare. In any case, thanks for your Heck reaction, whatever it is, and have a nice hereafter wherever you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPI Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Now there was a man who didn't waste his time with politics, he saw what was needed to be done ...and did it! We're all a bit poorer for his passing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ableguy Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? Try paying for an MRI in Australia, then you would. Not ask this question. 13000 is dirt cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozyjon Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Now if he was a sports star, covered in tattoos, earning a gazillion dollars a season, they would get a state funeral. But, Richard Heck, who, never heard of him. Richard Heck and all the Richard Heck's of this world are my HERO's, many peoples lives have benefited from his work,, great contribution to society,, what have so many brain dead sports people contributed to society, next time someones scraped off the road from a serious car accident, request a burly rugby player to put you back together. I'd like to say thank you Richard Heck for everything you've done RIP I'd like to say thank you Victor Chang, millions are alive because of you RIP I'd like to say thank you to every health worker on the planet, you are the hero's. And oh, all you sports types, go hit your head against the wall,, it will feel good when you stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umbanda Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 . How is that possible so soon after winning the Nobel $$. That never happens in Thailand. OP states years of illness that left him nearly penniless Perhaps Philippines hospitals are similar to Thai ones in their charges. RIP Hope I'm not off topic. 3 days ago doctor said he would like to see MRI of my shoulder. When I was quoted 13,000 Bt (about 520 AUD) for the procedure I refused. Wonder why some people claim Thailand a hub of Medical Tourism? 13,000 THB?...Just that for a MRI??? In the US, without insurance, a visit to a hospital emergency room for any reason may cost $500...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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