Cervical Spine Research Society European Branch "The Cervical Spine Research Society is an organization of individuals interested in clinical and research problems of the cervical spine. Its purpose is for the exchange and development of ideas and philosophy regarding the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine injury and disease. The com­ position of the membership should reflect the varying specialities and disciplines dealing with the cervical spine; biochemical, engineering, neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, orthopedic surgery and others", wrote J. William Fielding, New York City, one of the Society'S founding members. In 1984 the membership list contained 118 names. The overwhelming majority of members came from the United States, four from Canada and 9 Europeans, amongst them Mario Boni. He was the organizer, in con­ junction with the members of the Cervical Spine Research Society, of a splendid "International Meeting for the updating on pathology and surgery Preface VI of the cervical spine" held in Pavia (Italy) in May 1982. It was from this meeting that the idea of a European branch of the Society first originated, with the purpose of establishing multi-disciplinary meetings in Europe. The first meeting of the European branch was organized by A. Weidner in September 1984 in Osnabriick (Federal Republic of Germany). Mario Boni was elected president. He was not only the initiator but also the drivinglorce who tirelessly promoted the development of the European branch. Mario Boni's death in 1986 at the age of 64 was a great loss to us.