Emanuel Hackel

East Lansing

Dr. Emanuel Hackel, emeritus professor of Zoology and Medicine at MSU, whose work in blood banking contributed significantly to the science and feasibility of both transfusions and organ transplant, died on July 9 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing after a short illness. He was 87.

Professor Hackel received the university’s Meritorious Faculty Award in 1995 and was proud of his long teaching tenure. A longstanding proponent of education, he recalled with great satisfaction when he successfully convinced fellow service members to go to college on the GI Bill, as he had done. He enjoyed a distinguished career at the university including service as an assistant dean, department chair, and member of the athletics council. He was an enthusiastic Spartans fan, holding season tickets for football and basketball for over 50 years, supporting student athletes both on and off the field.

Manny, as he was known to friends, espoused a philosophy of fairness and responsibility that underpinned his commitment to teaching as well as his service in the Navy, at the university and in the Michigan Association of Blood Banks where he served two terms as president.

Born in Brooklyn in 1925 to Esther and Nathan Hackel, Manny attended NYU at the age of 16. He transferred to the University of Michigan after his freshman year only to leave in 1941 to join the Navy. He rose to the rank of Lt. Commander before leaving active duty. He was proud to remain in the Naval Reserve for another forty years. He continued his education at UM where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s in science. He received a PhD in human genetics from Michigan State.

Dr. Hackel was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, his sister Alice Glaser, and his first wife Betty Mackie Hackel in 1978. He is survived by his wife Rachel, three daughters, two stepdaughters, a stepson, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship fund of the University of Michigan’s Inter-Cooperative Council (http://www.icc.coop/story/donations/).

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com