BJJ News | I ssue 7 | J une 2015
Fig. 2 Steve Copeland teaching
Fig. 3 Steve tr ying out a Formula 1 car He could not get his results published in the orthopaedic journals. It was not until the late 1990s, after we managed to publish excellent results of the Copeland shoulder resurfacing with more than ten years’ follow-up, that the tide started to turn. Nowadays, it is a wellaccepted principle and most shoulder implants are going shorter if not stemless. He was the game changer! Steve was a founding member and subsequently president of the British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS), one of the first members of the European Shoulder and Elbow Society (SECEC) and its president from 1999 to 2001. He was invited to be the first international non-American corresponding member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) in 1986 for his outstanding contribution to the field of shoulder surgery. He was also the third chairman of the International Board of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (IBSES, 2004-2010). He was made an honorary member of the shoulder surgery societies of Australia, Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Korea and Japan; an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2004, and the Robert Jones Lecturer for the British Orthopaedic Association in 2005. He wrote four books on shoulder surgery and many scientific papers and was invited to lecture worldwide.
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He was a masterful teacher, excellent surgeon, great friend and a caring family man. Above all, Steve was a true gentleman whose natural humility belied his eminence. Despite his normally gentle nature, behind the wheel of a sports car he became a ruthless racing driver. He always had passion for sports cars and racing and was well known for his Aston Martin, whose acceleration was experienced by every fellow or visiting surgeon. When I suggested that he join my VIP invitation to the F1 Grand Prix in Monza, he didn’t hesitate for a second despite objections from Jenny: he was also awarded the accolade of the “world’s fastest shoulder surgery racing driver”, racing a go-cart during the closed SECEC meeting in Frankfurt in 2007, where he ruthlessly overtook us all. After his retirement, he replaced the Aston Martin with a red Ferrari and built a kit racing car, planning to race it in different circuits around the world. Unfortunately, he could race it only once before his disease returned. He was inspirational to everyone that touched his life and certainly to me as well as to the many fellows, trainees, colleagues and visitors that came to Reading over the years. I was Steve’s shoulder fellow in 1997, on a one-year sabbatical from my university hospital in Israel. I extended my stay for another year, at his request, as we had such a great time working together. Working with Steve was like a dream. He was my mentor and my good friend. His clear thought, knowledge and excellent surgical skills made every complex operation seem so simple in his hands. Unfortunately, it was then that the disease first struck him, but after several months fighting the disease and various treatments, he recovered and returned to work. In 1999 we established the Reading Shoulder Unit as an international centre of excellence for shoulder and elbow surgery, striving to continue to lead the cutting edge of our field, introduce innovation and continue with research and education. A great innovator, time and time again ahead of his time, but always with practicality and reason, Steve taught us that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and that who dares wins. Even after his retirement in 2010, he was always available for advice and guidance with his wisdom and kindness. In spite of being so busy and productive in his work, as well as being involved in the activities of many national and international societies, he was a very loving and dedicated family man, in recent years taking great pride in playing with his grandchildren. Throughout his career Steve was supported by his loving wife, Jenny, whom he met at medical school. Steve leaves Jenny, two children, Sara and Matthew, five grandchildren, a mother, a brother and a sister. Steve will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and, indeed, by anyone that knew him throughout the world. We will continue to observe and cherish his legacy. A uthor
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Ofer Levy Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading oferlevy@readingshoulderunit.com