John L. Kellermann III, a Parkinson's disease sufferer who played a major role in the passage by the state legislature in 2006 of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act and also served as a founding member of the stem cell research commission, died Monday of pancreatic cancer at his Ocean City summer home.
The longtime Loch Raven Village resident was 56.
Mr. Kellermann was 38 years old and a vice president of the old First National Bank of Maryland when he noticed a twitch in two fingers of his left hand.
When it happened again, he went to a neurologist, who diagnosed Mr. Kellermann with Parkinson's disease in 1992.
He then spent the remainder of his life working as an outspoken advocate for stem cell research legislation and looked forward to a time when those suffering from life-threatening diseases and their families could have hope rather than despair.
Last September, the Genetics Policy Institute presented him its Stem Cell Action Award at the World Stem Cell Summit in Baltimore. At the time, Mr. Kellermann said, "So, I stand before you tonight to thank you for this award but also to ask for your help.
"Help on behalf of the many millions of people stricken with cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and many other ailments that are looking for relief or a cure. Help to give us all the opportunity to dance at our daughter's weddings. Help us to stay focused and deliberate.
"Let's move these potential cures out of laboratories and into clinics, from the benches to the bedside. We need cures and we need them now!"
"John was relentless in his advocacy work on behalf of patients not only in the State of Maryland, but across the country," Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement released Thursday.
"Through his work, he leaves a legacy of hope and optimism for patients and families suffering from debilitating diseases and medical conditions," Governor O'Malley said. "Maryland will continue to honor John through our steadfast commitment to lifesaving research through the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund."
Mr. Kellermann, the son of an American Telephone & Telegraph supervisor and a homemaker, was born in Baltimore and raised near Edmondson Village.
After graduating from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1972, Mr. Kellermann earned a bachelor's degree in business in 1977 from what is now Loyola University Maryland. He earned a master's degree in business finance, also from Loyola, in 1981.
From 1977 to 1991, he worked as a lending officer for Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Co., where he was promoted to vice president.
He was vice president of lending for six years at First National Bank of Maryland before being named vice president of Mid Atlantic Business Finance Co. in 1996.
In 2000 and again in 2001, Mr. Kellermann underwent a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in which electrodes were implanted to produce electrical impulses to the brain. The procedure does not slow the progression of Parkinson's but results in improved movement.
"Dr. Fred Lentz performed the surgery, which set him back nearly eight years in terms of the disease," said his wife of 28 years, the former Marye E. Dorsey, a registered nurse who is a nurse practitioner.
Because of failing health, Mr. Kellermann retired in 2001, and since then spent his time working with the Parkinson's disease advocacy community, helping to support others who suffer from the disease and their families.
Mr. Kellermann was founder and president of the board of Maryland Families for Stem Cell Research and lobbied in Annapolis for the passage of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006.
He also testified in Washington before the House of Representatives for passage of HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which was passed in 2005.
Testifying before the House of Delegates in 2006, Mr. Kellermann described himself as a "young Republican among a family of Democrats and a Roman Catholic," who during the last 14 years tried to "stay true to my roots in the Republican Party and the Catholic Church."
"Lately," he told the legislators, "I find myself not only wondering how long I will have to live with this terrible disease, but also questioning my future as a Republican and Catholic."
Mr. Kellermann's work with the stem cell bill brought a visit from state Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat who pledged his support.
"I was not in the habit of entertaining Democrats in my home," Mr. Kellermann said.
"John handled hundreds of media interviews for me during the two legislative sessions we battled for the bill to publicly fund the research, which now is nearly $70 million invested," said Susan Dobbs O'Brien, vice president for public affairs of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland.
"Standing with him and Gov. [Harry R.] Hughes in the House of Delegates' chamber gallery the night [the bill] passed in 2006 was one of the greatest days of my life," Ms. O'Brien recalled.
"John and I worked together to pass that cell stem legislation. He really was a fine person," former Governor Hughes said Thursday. His wife, Patricia D. Hughes, died earlier this year from Parkinson's disease.
"He was a very strong person, and even though debilitated by his own Parkinson's, he worked very hard to help others with the stem cell research program," said Governor Hughes, who was also a founding member of Maryland Families for Stem Cell Research.
"We had to fight with the legislature for a couple of years, and through this effort we became close friends," he said.
Del. Samuel I. Rosenberg, a Baltimore Democrat, was a strong supporter of Mr. Kellermann's work and embryonic stem research. "I don't know if he had a political bone in his body, but John became a willing and effective spokesman and saw the potential of this research," said Mr. Rosenberg, who had co-sponsored the bill.
"I don't think being on the stage was easy for him, but it was his choice and he did it. His goal was to get this bill passed, and this was the task at hand," he said.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch appointed Mr. Kellermann to the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission, a position he held until his death.
Since 2004, he had also been on the advisory board of the Johns Hopkins Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center and had been a co-founder in 2002 of the Deep Brain Stimulation Support Group.
In 2008, Mr. Kellermann was diagnosed with the cancer that claimed his life.
"His main hobby was following University of Virginia lacrosse. Our daughter played there for four years. That was his hobby 100 percent," Mrs. Kellermann said. "He also loved going to Ocean City and was an avid reader."
At his request, there will be no Mass of Christian burial, family members said.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Notre Dame Preparatory School, 815 Hampton Lane, Towson.
Also surviving are a son, John L. "Jake" Kellermann IV, 18; two daughters, Stacye A. Kellermann, 25, and Marye A. Kellermann, 22, all of Loch Raven Village; his parents, John L. Kellermann Jr. and Ruth Kellermann of Ellicott City; three brothers, Mark "Pugsley" Kellermann of Lutherville, Matthew Kellermann of Ellicott City and Paul Kellermann of Catonsville; and a sister, Mary Beth Norman of Howard County.