Rochester, and an important field of health care, lost a real giant late last month with the death of Frank Williams.

A bright, caring, and exceptionally visionary man, Frank was an expert and a trailblazer in caring for the elderly. His long, distinguished career included serving as medical director of Monroe Community Hospital and director of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. His research and teaching have had a profound impact on the elderly - and those who care for them - throughout the world.

Among the thousands for whom Frank served as mentor are the publishers of this newspaper, who have been fortunate enough to hear him and his wife Carter discuss their research and their philosophy about how to age well, and how to properly and respectfully provide health care for the elderly.

In the area of health care and living well - and in the area of social justice - Frank was a remarkable role model, and we mourn his death at the much-too-early age of 89.