Dr. Victor Morrison Hawthorne

Hawthorne, Victor Morrison Dr., Victor M. Hawthorne, M.B., Ch.B., M.D., D.Sc. (Hon, University of Glasgow), FRCP (Edinburgh), FRCPS Victor M. Hawthorne (1921-2014), Professor Emeritus, died in Lansing, Michigan, on November 23, 2014, of heart failure. He was 93 years of age. Victor was Consultant Physician Cardiorespiratory Diseases, NHS, UK, Coordinator Mass Miniature Radiography in Scotland, Department of Preventive Medicine University of Glasgow, Chair, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health and laterally as Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland and educated at Rutherglen Academy where he was head boy (Valedictorian). War delayed his university education until 1946, when he began his medical studies at the University of Glasgow. He served in the Royal Artillery, British Army, in Burma and India throughout WW 2 as a Captain in the Special Services. He graduated MB ChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) in 1951. In 1963 he graduated MD (with commendation) and in 1996 was awarded an honorary D.Sc. by the University of Glasgow. Early in his career, he was involved in tuberculosis control in Scotland which stimulated future interest in epidemiology and preventive medicine. His pioneering studies of respiratory diseases and hypertension in the general population of the Island of Tiree and of the burghs of Renfrew and Paisley in Scotland, led to an appointment in 1966 as senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. He was founder and leader of the Paisley and Renfrew (West Scotland), MIDSPAN Health Study of 15,000 men and women, aged 45-64 years, who were screened for cardiorespiratory diseases. In this prospective study, he identified many of the important risk factors that predict excessive mortality due to coronary heart disease and other common chronic diseases, and, of related interest, the effect of environmental tobacco smoke on the health status of non-smokers. Dr. Hawthorne was appointed as Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1978 and remained in that position until 1986. As an active research scientist in the field of epidemiology of chronic human disease, Professor Hawthorne developed extensive methodology to evaluate diabetes and osteoarthritis in the Tecumseh Community Health Project. He also conducted studies of medical care requirements and quality of care received by schizophrenic patients in Michigan psychiatric hospitals, and the costs and survival of patients with end-stage kidney disease. Dr. Hawthorne served as a member of the Governor's Chronic Disease Advisory Committee from its inception in 1978, providing leadership in planning and implementation of a variety of disease prevention and control programs. In 1986, the Michigan Department of Public Health established the Victor M. Hawthorne Awards for research projects in disease prevention and health promotion. In addition to being a distinguished scientist and beloved teacher, he also created an atmosphere of collegiality among the faculty. On June 30, 1991, Dr. Hawthorne was named Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology and Family Practice at the University of Michigan and remained active in international research and practice until shortly before his death, publishing his last article in 2009. Dr. Hawthorne was married to the late, beloved Jean for 65 years who died December 2013. They had three daughters, Hilary (died Dec. 2003); Wendy, a resident of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Rosalind Kirk, resident in East Lansing, MI. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Nicky (Puerto Rico), Robyn (UK), and Laurie (Lansing); two great grandchildren (Matteo and Luca, Puerto Rico); his much-loved younger sister, Mavis (England), nieces and nephews and many good friends and neighbors, especially those from Ann Arbor where Victor and Jean lived for the past 35 years. A wonderful, cherished father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. He will be sadly missed but always fondly remembered. The family will receive guests at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 12 p.m. A memorial service and reception will follow and begin at 1 p.m. Please visit www.muehligannarbor.com to leave the family your condolences. Muehlig Funeral Chapel