Dear Professor Stingl, These days, here in the middle of the Congress you have organised, you will celebrate your 70th birthday. Having the privilege to be your friend, I take the honour to comment on this event and present your portrait to this scientific community. You started your medical education at the Medical Faculty of the Charles University in Plzeň where you were soon recognised as one of the most talented students. All our young community admired your acute sense of duty, respect for a serious work, and warm idealism crystallising in a humble and deeply empathic attitude towards the human suffering. Your fun-loving and unselfish character made of you our beloved companion.