Holder of the "Why" Gene

It has been said that funerals and memorials are not for the dead, they’re for the living, for those of us left behind, a moment to pause, to reflect on what is gone, and that which lies ahead.

We now all reflect on a Bill Mitchell who was unique to each of us, depending on when and where we met him and, of course, who we are.

The Bill I know had an abundance of the three H’s: humor, honesty, and honor. When I think back on our years together I don’t remember Bill ever telling “a joke," but I can’t think of him without remembering his sly smile or infectious laugh. I never knew him to say or imply anything dishonest or deceitful – he was who he was and he liked others the same. And his honor was boundless – for his family, naturopathy, and nature, to name only the topics we spoke of the most.

Bill Mitchell, to me, falls into that category of “old-time naturopathic physician.” Since I’ve heard this title applied to me, I like to think that it has nothing to do with age, but rather a way of thinking. Bill honored naturopathic tradition in a way that only someone with a solid grounding in science can do. He believed its historic tradition, but also its scientific validation. And he was joyous to see it work – to see it help people be healthier.

“Old-time naturopathy” does not mean abandoning science, but rather the opposite - including science in its deepest, most wholistic application; beyond cause and effect to interconnectedness.

As an “old-time naturopath” Bill was a guy who never stopped asking “Why?” Some people have this question beaten out of them by unimaginative parents, teachers, medical schools, but Bill had the “Why?” gene imbedded into his DNA makeup and continued to nourish it.

The problem with that “Why?” gene is that there are a great many puzzles in the world. Even if you only confine yourself to naturopathy, you can spend a lot of time reading chemistry books, history, listening to lectures, experimenting, even tasting and smelling tinctures. It can also put you at odds with others - the charlatans, the opportunists, the intellectually lazy.

As some of you know, Bill was concerned about where some in naturopathy are drifting. It worried, and perplexed him, that many naturopaths have jumped into the practice of writing prescriptions for drugs. He didn’t question this because he was contrary, or stubbornly “old-time," but rather because he was afraid that the ease of writing a prescription would lead to leaving out the “Why?” question. A doctor who prescribes an antibiotic, a sleeping pill, or a hormone doesn’t need to ask “Why isn’t this patient’s immune system or brain or gland making its own antibodies, neurotransmitters, or hormone?” To Bill these questions were fundamental to how he practiced medicine and he wanted young naturopaths to share the thrill of answering “Why?”

Like most of our traits, for better or worse, this “Why?” gene brought Bill the joy of discovery, but it could also torture him. When you have the trait, you can’t protect yourself from the same question. Self exploration is part of living life to its fullest. Bill wanted that, wanted a full life. He pushed himself into scary places. And he often went to those places alone. Fortunately for us, he was willing to share his experiences with us.

Asking “Why?” questions of himself and others gave Bill a grounding that inspired him to move ahead, to explore, to keep trying. And when you combine the “Why? Gene with the three H’s – the humor, honesty and honor – you have a quietly inspiring, likable guy. Someone I will love till the end of my days.

Tom Ballard, ND '82

Calling on Nature

Cactus grandiflorus,
Do you see him in the night?

Gaia,
Do you rejoice?

Sun,
Have you added a new glimmer to your dawn?

Moon,
Setting into the sea…do you see?

Earth,
Do you sing to feel him again?

Bill,
Vis

In Loving Memory of Bill
Elissa J. Mullen, BS '01, ND '06

A Man and a Mission

Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

The passing of Dr. Bill Mitchell sent shockwaves to many of us throughout the world. I was in disbelief for a period of time after hearing the news. What a man he was, and what a legacy he left.

My first recollection of Bill was as it should be - a healer. He provided me with a remedy to help me with my diabetes, and was so sure it would work, he warned me to check my sugar levels regularly. The remedy worked and I certainly followed his advice. What a thoughtful, compassionate man, to be concerned for the well-being of a new acquaintance, and without need for remuneration.

His “talks” on campus and at AANP conferences were always standing room only. He connected with everyone in the room – we were spellbound – as he rambled on with stories that all connected and made sense out of the world we live in. His 55th birthday was an event that I will always remember.

I fondly recall our monthly lunches. He loved the food and the discussions on many topics. I, in turn, cherished our time together immensely. He told me on several occasions of his faith in Christ, and as I listened to this genius and well-learned man, I was thoughtful of his deep heartfelt reverence for all things spiritual, and his abiding faith as he shared it. His laughter I can still hear as I write this – what a joy to the soul.

I wish his family well during this time. Leah, please continue his remarkable legacy, and to the incredible Bastyr family, be strident to continue his heritage throughout the ages.

Dr. Tom Shepherd
Former President, Bastyr University, and Friend

Our Lodestone

I am humbled by the beauty and depth of the remembrances of Bill Mitchell that have been posted on this blog. I know that each one represents the thoughts and feelings of many hundreds of people whose lives were deeply touched by Bill.

I was stunned when I got the call at my desk from Sheldon Haber telling me of Bill’s death. For a moment I could hardly breathe, and thereafter I was simply in shock.

I cannot say that I knew Bill particularly deeply or well. I never had the occasion to take a class from him. But over 20 years of working together, I had many opportunities to come to profoundly regard this fine human being.

My first experiences of Bill were when I became a new trustee for Bastyr, back 20 years ago. Bill never would be the one who got caught up in the conflict of ideas or personalities. He would usually wait and listen, and then speak thoughtfully about whatever was being discussed from the perspective of the core principles that are the foundation of naturopathic medicine. I learned to wait until I heard from Bill before getting too set in my perspective.

But Bill’s biggest impact came from a more personal set of experiences. Our family had recently moved to Seattle, and when one of our kids got the occasional ear infection, I found myself in the very unfamiliar position of actually taking my child to a naturopathic physician.

I kind of remember what Bill did and the treatments he provided. But what I most remember was the way he was immediately able to tune into my son Dan, and calm him - even though Dan was in a lot of pain; and the way he formed friendships with each of my kids that made them enjoy going to the doctor and responding to his suggestions. One even became a vegetarian for quite a while.

From there Bill led me and our whole family on a path of discovery of naturopathic medicine, including a whole host of treatments and diet changes that I would have never imagined embracing. From this, as much as any intellectual activity, I came to know why the success of Bastyr University was important to me and to the world.

Over the next 20 years of my life, I devoted much of my life to building Bastyr. Things at times got pretty challenging. But Bill was always present as a lodestone – one who lived and breathed and loved all of the passion of our vision – and who reminded me all the time that it was NOT about budgets or plans or successes or failures but about taking each person exactly where they live – whether they be patient, parent, student, or colleague – and gently - but with strength and patience and firmness - inviting them into an always expanding discovery of what it meant to be healthy, to feel alive, and to reconnect with all that is deeply natural in ourselves and others.

I live a great distance from Bastyr now. In the past weeks I have missed not being able to simply go to the chapel and join in the important rituals of grieving, and to share in that process with a community that shares the grief I feel.

Bill was in the end so deeply a healer and a teacher that it infused everything he did – even the way he dealt with tragedy and sorrow in his own life. My life was immeasurably enriched by his presence in it – and he remains a source of inspiration.

My challenge is to keep his presence and his example still in my life – as invitation and model.

And our collective challenge is to keep his presence powerfully alive in our community.

Sandi Cutler
Former Vice President, Institutional Planning & Public Affairs, Bastyr University

A Green Ally

I met Bill Mitchell at Medicines from the Earth, over the past couple of years. I found inspiration to meet someone who was sure of his mission, entirely dedicated to it, and comfortable in his own skin. So might we all be blessed to be. It appeared effortless, but I know it was born of many years of dedication and challenge in a pseudo-dominant culture that is only now renewing its awareness of our friends the green allies. The truth will out; we can offer our gratitude to the pioneers, living and passed on...

Terri Herrlein
Friend from Herb Conferences

Some Kind of Heaven

To me, Bill Mitchell was the heart and soul.

I first witnessed the miracle that he was when, in my first year; he led one of the Gatherings. He spoke deliberately, listening deeply inward, as if sifting through his thoughts for the best and truest words. He talked about trees being the lungs of the world, and we naturopaths were part of the earth’s immune system.

Later that year I enrolled in one of his classes; it was called something beautiful like Landscapes of the Mind. He was my source of inspiration as I was deluged from all sides with hard knowledge. One lecture was so infused with Spirit that I felt he had ordained us into sacred contract, and was sending us off into the world on a mission. I went up to thank him, and he simply nodded and said, with the slightest of twinkles, "Have fun."

I’ve been blessed to have him as a teacher again this year. His laugh has been my medicine: his dark blue eyes shining, his face beaming with so much light that I cannot help but laugh for joy. I can only describe it as a piece of some kind of heaven.

Now Dr. Mitchell has died. I will never hear the comforting, thoughtful rumble of his voice again, except in my memory. He probably never knew my name, but his will echo through my life.

Teray Garchitorena, ND Candidate 2007
January 26, 2007

A Broken Heart, A Thousand Arms

Dear Alumni Friends,

While it is a sad time on campus these days, rest assured that life goes on as usual. There is laughter in the halls, and stress in the library (it’s midterms week), and Bastyr students in all disciplines are moving forward in their education with energy and commitment. Valentine’s Day is being well celebrated – last week the Development department and contributing BU employees raised $5,000 in an auction to benefit the student scholarship fund; and this week we are hosting the now-traditional V-Day activities to help stop violence against women. The bookstore is offering a sale with special low prices for gift items featuring the colors red or pink, and there’s chocolate pretty much everywhere.

Dr. Mitchell would have liked this – to see the University bustling with such energy and life. His vision for Bastyr was huge and vital – its core lay in his love and knowledge of naturopathic medicine and plants, but it went way beyond that, imagining a whole wide world in which people could and would feel better and be happier because genuine healers were available to them – many of them educated and trained at Bastyr.

I was lucky to be a personal friend – an easy occurrence, really, he was such an open guy. Our friendship began over sushi after his yoga classes. We would often talk about Bastyr. He would tell me, with no little passion (trying to instill his conviction in me, I imagine) that he thought the alumni were the heart and soul of the Bastyr community. And not just NDs – he wanted to see everyone succeed and prosper. You may not know that besides teaching plant medicine and advanced therapeutics, Bill taught Reflexology, and he had a deep desire to study Chinese Herbal Medicine - though I must say when he talked about this I could see his eyes look inward, as if he was studying some internal calendar, wondering just when in the world he would have time for that.

Sadly, Bill had even less time than he imagined. His heart broke and he left us - heart broken, too, but not despairing. I am reminded of a story from the Tibetan tradition and since Bill loved to share wisdom through stories, I want to share it with you.

“Once upon a time” there lived a man named Avalokiteshvara, who had the deep intention to benefit all sentient beings. When he first developed this commitment, Avalokiteshvara proceeded with great energy and inspiration to do all that he could to help, but after a while he became very discouraged. There were so many many beings in need! What could one person do? Realizing his own limitations, Avalokiteshvara despaired. Tears rose to his eyes with the force of a torrent, his compassion was so deep and helpless. He cried so much that his heart broke and his body shattered into a thousand pieces. Seeing this, Buddha, in his infinite compassion for this kind fellow who meant so well, blessed Avalokiteshvara to live again, turning the shattered fragments of his body into a thousand helpful arms, each with an eye of wisdom in the palm.

You, Graduates of Bastyr University, are the thousand strong, wise arms of our dear heartbroken Dr. Mitchell, and of the other great healers and teachers who have shaped and continue to shape Bastyr. Indeed, you are 2,500 strong now, with your numbers growing fast, each of you in your own way holding the promise of a gentler, healing world. He lives on in each of you.

In closing, here is an excerpt from a chapter Dr. Mitchell wrote for The Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine textbook (Copyright 2006), being compiled now under the leadership of Executive Editor, Pamela Snider, ND ’82.

Another modality in medicine, and one that is particularly important in naturopathic medicine, is the human modality itself. I refer to this as the application of “people and organizations” to the patient. Giving the patient people, or groups of people, contains within itself a healing power. This may seem obvious to us, but we seldom prescribe people as a medicine or modality. In the practice of naturopathic medicine, as I view it, I often refer patients to a yoga class, not only for the exercise, a well recognized modality, but for the interaction of the patient to people who are also seeking wellness. People are each others’ medicine in the ideal world. - William A. Mitchell, ND

Dear Alumni, thank you for all that you do and will do to bring benefit to our ailing world. Take care of yourselves.

Connie Moffit, Director of Alumni Communications
February 14, 2007