In Memory of Philip Musgrove

Last night, I received the tragic news that Philip Musgrove, my friend and colleague, died in an accident at Iguazu Falls. It is hard for me to write this because it is hard for me to believe Phil is gone. The hole he leaves behind is so very large. Phil appreciated friends, humor, and analytical twists. His criticism could be sharp but the encouragement he offered people was also boundless. I’ve heard so many stories over the years from people who sought him out for advice and really appreciated his support – whether a PhD student looking for a dataset or a Health Minister seeking advice on a massive reform effort.I don’t know Phil’s full story – I don’t think anyone ever could. Here are just a few of the professional parts that I know about. He was at the Brookings Institution, PAHO, the World Bank, and WHO-Geneva. Most recently he has been the global health editor for Health Affairs, which just posted a complete obituary. He was a key part of the World Bank’s 1993 World Development Report special issue on health, as well as the Disease Control Priorities Projects and the 2000 World Health Report. He published extensively on health policy in developing countries, but also did extensive work on consumption theory (e.g. “Income Distribution and the Aggregate Consumption Function” Journal of Political Economy 1980). His tongue-in-cheek paper, “Why Everything Takes 2.71 828… Times as Long as Expected” (American Economic Review 1985), perfectly captures the delight he took in taking wry observations about life and playing with them, through puns, mathematics, and even poetry. He never told me how he convinced them to print it. If I had asked him, I’m certain the telling of the story would have been a joy in itself.He was at home culturally and linguistically in many places – certainly in Colombia and Brazil, though I suspect in many other places as well.In the coming weeks, I know that I will hear stories from people who knew him in very different ways, none of us having the true measure of the man.For now, all I can say is: He was my friend and I will miss him deeply.