Dr. Geoffrey Philip Altshuler, M.D.

Geoffrey Altshuler, M.D., retired Clinical Professor of Pathology and Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, passed away on Wednesday, July 16th after a long fight with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 75 years old. Dr. Altshuler was born December 24, 1938 in Brisbane, Australia and was the son of the late Ettie and William Altshuler of Sydney, Australia and brother of the late Anita de Regt and brother-in-law of the late Cor de Regt, also of Sydney, Australia. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jerriann, sons Braddon, of Alexandria, VA, and Ashley and Brooks of Oklahoma City, daughter-in-law Katherine, grandchildren William and Evelyn, and niece Rebecca of Sydney, Australia. He was a loving husband, dedicated father, proud Australian and prouder American.

Altshuler attended Randwick School in Sydney Australia where he played rugby and was a formidable member of the cricket team, leading it in both bowling and batting. He was also a standout on the debate team, described as a “witty and eloquent debater” with a masterful method of attack and summation that were the highlights of each debate.

Dr. Altshuler graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1963 and thereafter pursued residencies in pediatrics, pathology, and internal medicine at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney, the University of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and at Dartmouth College Medical School under his mentor and life long friend, Dr. Kurt Benirschke. After a number of recruiting interviews, he came to Oklahoma City in 1975 to the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital as an Associate Professor of Pathology and Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics. He chose Oklahoma City because he had the opportunity to help build the department of pediatric pathology from the ground up. His remarkable career included numerous National Institutes of Health Assignments, International Academy of Pathology Assignments, extensive reviews of journals and publications, and invited presentations throughout the world. His life-long professional dedication, the research and examination of the placenta, was widely recognized – once described by a professional peer as “The God” of placental research.

In 1982, Dr. Altshuler’s concern for further community involvement in the support of Children’s Hospital and his belief in the vital importance of the research of childhood diseases led to his founding of the Children’s Hospital Foundation, formerly known as Children’s Medical Research Institute, assisted by the late James Paul Linn, and the late Jean Gumerson. Today, the Foundation has raised and leveraged matching funds to create more than $100 million for pediatric research, quality specialized clinical care and education programs, and has recruited several of the nation’s top researchers and doctors to come to the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center’s Department of Pediatrics. Through the tireless commitment of Children’s Hospital Foundation staff and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center doctors and researchers, Dr. Altshuler’s vision has continued, benefitting countless families and children throughout Oklahoma regardless of their ability to pay.

The family would like to extend thanks to the staff and doctors of St. Anthony’s Hospital, Frontier Hospice, and Laura Lynn’s Home Care for their compassionate care.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City on July 24th at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation for the Mulvihill-Altshuler Endowed Research Program in Genetics, 800 Research Parkway, Suite 150 Oklahoma City, OK. 73104. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.