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In April, a deeply unsettling time of isolation and sorrow as COVID-19 took hold in northern Italy, the disease claimed the life of Arrigo Moglia (pictured), Professor of Neurology at the University of Pavia and the Mondino Foundation, leaving his family, friends and colleagues bereft. Although he had retired only a few months earlier, he was still working as a doctor during the early phase of the outbreak.

Arrigo Moglia was an expert neurophysiologist, a brilliant neurologist, and a gifted teacher, and these three aspects of his professional career were intertwined in his daily work. Born in Biella in 1947, he graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1972, and completed his specialization in Neurology at the same University in 1976. He then started his career in the old corridors of the original building of our historic Institute of Neurology, following in the footsteps of his Pavia School mentors, Paolo Pinelli and Antonio Arrigo, true pioneers in the field of clinical neurophysiology. He established professional and research relationships with several important centers worldwide, and also spent a period in Marseille, gathering significant experience in the fields of electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) applied to epilepsy and neuromuscular diseases. He had a highly successful academic career: he started out as an Assistant Professor in 1977, and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor in 1995, and Full Professor of Neurology in 2009. In 2001, Arrigo Moglia founded the School of Technicians of Neurophysiopathology at the University of Pavia, which he directed until 2015. Among the first such schools in Italy, it was one of his proudest achievements. At the same University he also directed the Department of Neurological Sciences (2002–2008), and the Schools of Specialization in Neurophysiopathology (2004–2008) and Neurology (2008–2014). He was also vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (2005–2010), and President of the first- and second-level Degree Courses in Healthcare and Healthcare Technology (2010–2013).

His research activities are reflected in his numerous valuable contributions to the fields of EEG and EMG, epilepsy, genetic and acquired neuromuscular diseases, neuropathies, neurodegenerative diseases, and pathological brain aging, documented in papers published in leading international journals. He made original observations on muscle fatigue, spasticity, spinal nociceptive reflexes, dysphagia, and treatment of adult glycogenosis. Arrigo Moglia was also particularly active in the field of brain death, minimal consciousness and the vegetative state. He was a member of a special Commission dealing with this topic, appointed by the Italian Ministry of Health (2008–2009), and in this setting made a significant scientific contribution, encouraging intense debate among the experts.

In the clinical sphere, he played a significant part, throughout his professional life, in the growth of the Mondino Foundation, where he was an energetic and highly committed Director of the Department of Clinical Neurology and Rehabilitation, of the Unit of Behavioral Neurology, and later of the Department of Neurodiagnostics and Health Services (2000–2017). For a long time, he also served as a highly valued administrator of the Foundation.

As a physician, scientist and manager, he constantly supported his colleagues and staff, who greatly benefited from his wisdom and dedication. Over the years, he was instrumental in the training of numerous expert neurophysiologists and researchers, thus helping to perpetuate Pavia’s strong tradition in the neurosciences.

A real gentleman, Arrigo Moglia was stylish, passionate and life loving. He always looked people in the eye when speaking to them, a trait that inspired trust and loyalty. In any dispute, he was always ready to break the tension with one of his famous broad smiles. He was definitely a people person, adept at thinking through problems and always knowing the right words and note to choose.

On a personal level, he adored the mountains. He loved hunting for mushrooms, and was an excellent skier. He was, in fact, very interested in sports medicine, and knew several famous athletes from different disciplines. He organized several expert meetings and seminars in famous Italian mountain resorts. These were wonderful professional and social occasions that we all remember with great pleasure.

Right now, it seems that we have no roadmap for the new uncharted territory before us. But we have reason to mourn. So many have been taken from us, leaving a world of memories behind them. Arrigo Moglia is one of them, but he leaves a shining legacy, both personal and professional. COVID-19 robbed his family and friends of the chance to say a final goodbye, and this is perhaps the bitterest part. But, with hearts full of affection, we remember him as he now rests in peace on his beloved mountains.