Heinrich Willi

Heinrich Willi studied medicine at the University of Zurich. After qualifying in 1925 he became a resident at the Zurich Institute of Pathological Anatomy and in the department of medicine at the Winterthur Hospital. From 1928 he worked in the Children's Hospital, Zürich, under Guido Fanconi (1892-1979). He obtained his medical doctorate in 1936 and the following year he succeeded professor Bernheim-Karrer, also becoming director of the cantonal "Säuglingsheim Rosenberg". He retired in 1970.

Besides his academic and hospital duties Willi managed a large private clinic. He was an innovator who undertook medical research througout his career. His most important contributions were in the field of neonatology.

"He was a kind and blessed helper to his little patients and their fearful parents. He is mourned not only by the many pupils and his elderly teachers but also by innumerable parents and previous patients, now also adult. All mourn the dear, intelligent person who understood how to be researcher, teacher and a good doctor at the same time."
Guido Fanconi in his obituary,

• Hans Wissler (1906-1983):
  Zum Hinschied von Prof. Dr. med. Heinrich Willi.
  Rede-zur-Abdankungs-feier am 24 Februar.
• Guido Fanconi:
  Prof Heinrich Willi zum Gedenken.
  Neue Bündner Zeitung, Chur, 1971, 27 März: 3.
• Peter Beighton & Gretha Beighton:
  The Person Behind the Syndrome. Springer Verlag, London, 1997.