STEIN-John P. Stein, USC Urologist, 45. Dr. Joh n Peter Stein, an internationally recognized authority on the management of urologic cancers, passed away suddenly April 11, 2008 while attending the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons annual meeting in Florida. He was 45 years old. Stein was a professor of urology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Dr. Stein was a superb surgeon, a gifted clinician scientist, a role model for peers, residents and students," says Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen A. Puliafito. "He touched the lives of thousands of patients and saved the lives of many using his extraordinary clinical talents." Stein's work has included research that identified a molecular marker that predicts which bladder cancer patients would likely face remission and which would have relapses. He served on the editorial board of four major urologic journals including Urology and the Journal of Urology. Stein was co-director of the Genitourinary Program at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and was know for his compassion with patients. "Receiving my diagnosis was the hardest moment of my life," says Paul Scott, a former patient of Stein's. "He not only saved my life but gave me full assurance that I would live a long and healthy life. It's now been more than six years."Stein's reputation led to his inclusion in the list of "America's Top Doctors" for every year since 2005. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Young Investigator Award given by the Societ y of Urology Oncology. "Dr. Stein was a brilliant surgeon and dedicated leader in the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center," says cancer center director Peter Jones. "He was one of the most compassionate and skilled physicians I have ever met."Born in San Francisco in 1962, Stein grew up in Walnut Creek, California, and was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. He completed his urology residency under the direction of Dr. Donald Skinner at USC and s pent his entire clinical career at the Keck School of Medicine where he rose to the rank of Professor of Urology. "I consider John Stein one of the best surgeons I have ever trained, an extension of my own hands, someone very special, a son and member of my family" says Skinner. Nationally known urologic oncologist, Stein was appointed to committees of the American Urology Association, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and was Secretary-elect of the American Urologic Association, Western Section. A prom inent researcher, he also received several grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute for his bladder cancer research and contributed more than 150 publications to prominent urologic journals.He was a passionate basketball player and despite working at USC, continued as a Notre Dame fan. But first and foremost in his mind was always his family. "He was our rock, the foundation of our family, our devoted and loyal support for all of our endeavors and our own biggest fan. His presence lifted any situation, from ordinary to extraordinary or from special to extra special," says Randi Stein, his wife of 18 years. "He brought us peace and contentment knowing he was always with us, regardless of where he happened to physically be on any given day. We knew he was always thinking of us first and foremost."A resident of Pasadena, Stein was a dedicated husband and father. He leaves behind his wife Randi Goress Stein, and their four children, John, Joseph, Eleanor and Louisa May. He is s urvived by his parents, Dr. Robert and Helen Mary Stein of Walnut Creek, California, by his two brothers, Rob Stein of London, England, and Tom Stein and family of Riverside, Connecticut as well as many members of the Goress family. A visitation and vigil service for Dr. Stein takes place Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 P.M. at The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pasadena, 2640 E. Orange Grove Blvd. A funeral mass will be held at the same location on Friday, April 18 at 10:00 A.M. The K eck School of Medicine of USC will be holding a memorial service in the near future. Donations can be made to either the "John Stein Children's Trust Fund" c/o UBS Financial Services Inc. - Operations Dept. 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 7th Floor North, Los Angeles, CA 90067, or the "John P. Stein Chair in Urology" c/o USC Department of Urology, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033.