In Memoriam
Robert McCurdy, M.D.
November 28, 1923 – February 10, 2010
Robert McCurdy, M.D., 86, founder of the Mountain States Genetics Foundation, passed away on February 10, 2010. He was 86.
Born on November 28, 1923 in Matawan, New Jersey, Bob McCurdy received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, graduated from Jefferson Medical College and completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, New York. He later obtained a Master of Public Health Degree at the University of North Carolina. He was a member of the United States Air Force, and was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. He served as the Ship Physician on the SS United States.
Dr. McCurdy began his career in Boulder with a private practice of pediatrics at the Boulder Medical Center. He later worked for the Colorado Department of Health as a Pediatric Consultant; Chief of the Maternal and Child Health Section; Director of the Family and Community Health Services Division; Director of the Maternal and Child Health Division; and Director of Medical Affairs and Special Programs. After retirement, he was a volunteer Pediatrician at Clinica Campesina in Lafayette, Colorado. For nearly forty years, Dr. McCurdy held several university appointments with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, including Clinical Professor in Pediatrics and Associate Clinical Professor in Preventive Medicine. He was named Clinical Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics in 1994. His professional activities included being the Chairman of the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, President of the Association of Maternal and Child Health; and Chair, Committee on Health of Adolescents and School Aged Children.
The University of North Carolina School of Public Health bestowed Dr. McCurdy with the Sidney Chipman Award in March 1975 for his outstanding contributions to Maternal and Child Health. He received an honorary award of Public Health by the Delta Omega Society, and the Virginia Apgar Award from the Metro Denver Chapter of the March of Dimes in 1985.
As Director of the Maternal and Child Health Division for the Colorado Department of Health during the 1980’s, Dr. McCurdy provided oversight for the development of the Mountain States Region Genetics Services Network (MSRGSN), one of the ten regional genetics networks created through the federally funded Council of Regional Networks for Genetic Services (CORN). A strong proponent of the goals of the Network to promote genetics data collection, quality assurance, public and professional education, new technologies, ethical considerations, and funding for genetics services, Dr. McCurdy looked beyond the limitations of federal funding to encourage development of a private foundation to carry on the work of the MSRGSN. By founding the Mountain States Genetics Foundation in the early 1990s, he helped ensure that consumers and medical professionals would have a resource for continuing education and information regarding genetics research, applications and services in the region.
The Foundation Board of Directors and the many colleagues, former students and patients who had the privilege to know and work with him will greatly miss Dr. McCurdy’s gentle strength and unwavering commitment to medicine and public health. He married Marjorie Egan who preceded him in death and is survived by their four children, three daughters and one son, 4 grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and one step great-grandson.
Gordon W. Dewald, Ph.D.
July 22, 1943 - February 26, 2010
Gordon Wayne Dewald, Ph.D. 66, a pioneering clinical cytogeneticist, researcher and teacher, passed away on February 26, 2010 after a long battle with acinar cell pancreatic cancer. Dr. Dewald most recently served as professor emeritus in laboratory medicine and laboratory genetics at Mayo Clinic. He was highly respected as a leading authority in clinical cytogenetics, specializing in congenital disorders and hematological malignancies. His extensive research in cytogenetic studies and clinical diagnostics set international standards for the care of patients.
Gordon earned a Bachelor's Degree from Jamestown College in 1965, a Master's degree in 1968 and a PhD degree in 1972 from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He came to Mayo Clinic in 1972 as a fellow in clinical cytogenetics. In 1979, he became director of the cytogenetics laboratory and devoted the remainder of his career to clinical cytogenetics at Mayo. He retired in 2007.
Dr. Dewald was known as an avid teacher and dedicated mentor to generations of cytogenetic technologists, medical genetics fellows, pathology residents and other individuals from many other areas of medicine. He was an active member of several professional organizations and was a recipient of multiple awards for his contributions to cytogenetics. Among friends, he was known for his energy, loyalty, and fun loving nature.
Gordon was born July 22, 1943 in Jamestown, ND grew up in Dawson and Jamestown, ND. He was married for more than 45 years to Laurel Ann Havelick. He is survived by his wife, Laurel Ann Havelick Dewald; a daughter, two sons, four grandchildren, and a brother and sister.
|
