I write this with a heavy heart as we farewell Loren Rex D.O. or “Bear” as he preferred, who passed away on October 23rd, 2019.

I met Bear 30 years ago (almost to the day) as a newly graduated physiotherapist while he was teaching “An introduction to Muscle Energy Technique” in Adelaide, South Australia.

Some of Bears first words on that class were “Get good at what you do and get out of the system” – a phrase that many of us have heard and live by. I was so impressed by this mans knowledge and manner that I immediately decided that I had to learn more. Over the next decade I did dozens of classes with Bear at URSA manor in Seattle and brought him out regularly to Australia to teach and guide others.

I found Bear to be inspirational and passionate about manual therapy and achieving balance in life. Like a father, he was caring and kind but tough when he needed to be. Like a coach, he was patient and made us believe we could be much better than we ever thought possible. Bear readily admitted to being crazy and the virus was contagious. I just feel blessed that I was infected. He loved to teach because he understood it was the only way that he could help more people.

To me, Bear was a giant who cast a long shadow and the world lost a shining light with his passing. Without Bear, Manual Therapy Institute would never have come to be. I’m proud to have known him and that I’ve been able to pass a small part of his legacy onto others. Rest now my friend.