The recent loss of two very important people greatly impacted global and Brazilian collective health, especially in the disciplinary field of epidemiology. They are Mr. Mervyn Susser and Mr. Ruy Laurenti.

Both made outstanding contributions to the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (ABRASCO), either by their influence on the Brazilian epidemiological community, by means of the development of their studies committed to the health situation of the population, or by the role played in the development of many of our researchers, or by the decisive contribution they offered by composing the editorial board of the Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia (RBE - Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology).

From the perspective of RBE is undoubtedly necessary to recognize this support, which meant a fundamental basis for the establishment and consolidation of our national vehicle of dissemination of the scientific production in epidemiology, which completed 18 years of service to the scientific community, especially the community of sanitarians.

The scientific editorial board of RBE and its editors provide in this issue (18.4) that represents the achievement of majority, a tribute to both distinguished characters. For that purpose, they counted with the contribution of a student of Professor Susser and with a researcher of the group of Professor Laurenti, who wrote the obituaries included in this edition. Maurício Gomes Pereira makes an intimate portrait that allows him to magnify the technical and human skills of professor Susser. Maria Helena de Mello Prado Jorge, who developed her scientific activities in partnership with Professor Laurenti, also exalts his technical and human qualities, emphasizing, among other contributions, the influence he has played in the construction and consolidation of the excellent standards showed in the Brazilian information systems.

Plagiarizing Professor Jorge, we thank you Professors Susser and Laurenti to all you have taught us and to all you have done for the Public Health of our countries.

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