In Memoriam: Dr. John Remmers (1938-2025)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Remmers, MD. Dr. Remmers published a landmark study in 1978 about mechanisms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). He was a recognized physiologist, pioneer and innovator in sleep medicine continuously pushing for better patient outcomes for OSA. In 2006, he received the AADSM Honorary Member Award, acknowledging his significant, original and sustained contribution to dental sleep medicine. In memory of his legacy, several AADSM members have reflected on the impact Dr. Remmers has left on our field:

“In the 10 years I knew Dr Remmers, not once did I ever see a drop in his desire, energy, and passion for pulmonary sleep medicine. In fact, in those years I only saw an increased energy in OAT as an excellent alternative. For someone to dedicate their entire career to not only researching and finding the causes of OSA, but to also continually move industries forward, should be a testament to the person John was. It is truly a blessing to know at this year's AADSM meeting in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to talk with him for a good 45 minutes on not only advancements in OAT, but about the project I was working on. He loved his field, loved helping others, loved literally up until his last days what he lived for, pulmonary sleep medicine. Truly time to rest in peace John knowing we will continue your legacy.“

- David E Federici DMD D-ABDSM

"One does not work in the field of dental sleep medicine for very long without knowing the name of Dr. John Remmers, his many accomplishments and most of all his support of dentists and dental sleep medicine. Dr. Remmers published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles on respiratory physiology and served two terms as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Physiology. Dr. Remmers’ mind was never idle when it came to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, as he was always working on improving treatments especially with oral devices. His accolades are numerous and will be shared by many who had the distinct honor of working with him.

I would like to relate, perhaps, a different side of Dr. John Remmers. The John Remmers who became my dear friend. It was in 2014 that I had the privilege to meet Dr. Remmers. I have to say, knowing the giant he was in dental sleep medicine, I was in awe and counted my blessing that I had the good fortune to meet and actually talk with him. Our paths seemed to keep crossing to the point that we eventually would email each other to see if we were both going to be at the same meeting. He always made time for us to get together. John would share the current incredible research, ideas and projects on which he was working. He would then want to know what was the latest in the world of the AADSM and dental sleep medicine. It never failed that once we had shared what was going on in our work world the conversations seemed to meander to who we each were in our own personal lives. It is through these incredible talks that Dr. John Remmers became “John” my very dear friend and ardent supporter of whatever I happened to be working on in any phase of my life. Anyone who has spent time with John can picture his tall “gentle man’s” relaxed way of sitting in a chair, with one arm draped over the back and yet his intense focus on what was being shared. Our last time together was at this year’s annual AADSM conference in Las Vegas where once again John made time to meet with me. Had I known it would be our last conversation, I would have stayed and talked longer. It is difficult to lose a colleague and even more difficult to lose someone whose friendship meant so much. "

- Dr. Nancy Addy, DDS D-ABDSM

"No words are sufficient to describe the impact that John Remmers had on sleep medicine and the world at large. He discovered and characterized the pathophysiology of OSA and then spent the next 50 plus years finding ways to help patients live longer healthier lives. His impact thru over 100 peer reviewed articles and inventions such as home sleep tests, the first auto-PAP helped millions, but his impact on individual providers was even more profound. John had a burning desire to understand sleep breathing at the deepest levels and a gift for helping others understand and use that knowledge. He educated over 1000 Military dentists in Army DSM short courses, and he mentored and inspired innumerable others as a clinical professor at the University of Calgary, clinician and business owner, researcher and educational programs of every kind.

Perhaps the greatest thing he gave us was his example. He was somehow the smartest, most inquisitive, most passionate, and most humble person in the room. Everyone was important and every perspective mattered. He did the right things, the right way, for the right reasons. John's loyalty was not to a company and not to a therapy be it PAP or oral appliance therapy. His loyalty was to the patient, always pushing forward wherever the science and technology could take us to improve the sleep and lives of our patients. He was the perfect example of seeking outcomes over income.

I truly loved John, and he impacted my life profoundly. Those thousands of us that he shaped and inspired, we owe our best to our patients, our research and our teams to expand our knowledge and impact for the benefit of patients. I think paying forward what he has given us may be the best way to honor his legacy.

Rest in peace John, your life was well spent, and you will not be forgotten."

- Phillip Neal, DMD
Colonel, Army Dental Corps