It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Bob Jolliffe.

Bob has been a key part of the HISP UiO team and a beloved member of the DHIS2 community for almost two decades. He was universally respected for his skill, knowledge, and dedication: if a country had a critical issue with their DHIS2 server, he was always ready to help, and he spent countless hours over the years training people around the world on server and database administration, integration, and security, to empower them and their countries to take ownership of their health information systems.

Bob was also known for his kindness, empathy, and wisdom, and for his fierce commitment to causes—notably his support for the Palestinian people—and the ideals that are central to our mission, like the importance of open and shared solutions, putting people before technology, and ensuring that the needs of low-income countries come first. He served as a mentor and inspiration to many.

Above all, Bob was treasured for his warmth, humor, and friendship. Colleagues from across the HISP network have stories of their first meetings with Bob, which for many were the start of years-long exchanges that could range from technical topics to football, music, philosophy, politics, and much more. He was engaged in conversations with his colleagues and friends until his final moments.

Bob is survived by his wife Elaine and their children, as well as his beloved animals on their farm in the Irish countryside, where he spent the last several years. Our thoughts and love go out to his family as we all try to come to terms with this terrible loss.

Bob, thank you for all the great moments together, and for your love and compassion for the people around you and all over the world in the DHIS2 community. Your work for HISP over 18 years has meant so much to so many, and will continue to impact information systems in LMICs for many years to come. You will be missed dearly. Rest in peace.
(source - DHIS2 LinkedIn Page)