Dr. Juan M Navia

Dr. Juan M. Navia, age 83, died peacefully at his home on Saturday morning surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by wife of 60 years, Josefina, sons Juan L. (Julie) of Doylestown, PA, and Carlos A. (Kathy) of Mobile, AL , daughters Ana M. of Panacea, FL, Beatriz A. of Birmingham, AL, and grandchildren Juan and Carmen, James , Gabrielle, and Rebecca

Juan Navia was born in Havana, Cuba to the late Juan and Hortensia Navia. After graduating from the Ruston Academy in Cuba he was accepted to MIT where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Technology, followed by a Master of Science in Food Science.

The couple returned to Cuba in 1951 to begin raising a family. He began his career as Assistant Director of the Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnologicas, and later as Director of the Fundacion de Investigaciones Medicas (FIM) laboratories of nutrition in Havana. He also held the position of Associate Professor at the University of Villanova where he taught Microbiology until the communist regime closed the University. Under his leadership at FIM, the laboratory undertook the Herculean task of analyzing the nutritional value of all the common plant-based foods in Cuba. The work was published in prestigious scientific journals in Cuba and the US, and merited the San Esteban Conde de Canongo Award in 1954 from the Academy of Sciences in Havana.

After several years of political turmoil, he and his young family escaped from Cuba, arriving in the United States on July 4, 1961. For the next several years he dedicated himself to graduate research at MIT in nutrition and oral health and completed his Doctorate in Nutritional Biochemistry in 1965. In 1968 Dr Navia was recruited by UAB President Joseph Volker to join the faculty at the School of Dentistry. And so he began a productive academic life at his beloved University.

Dr Navia published over 150 papers, consulted for many major corporations, and published a book, Animal Models in Dental Research, considered by many as a practical bible in standardizing humane use of animals in dental research. He held numerous academic positions over the next 25 years including Director of the Nutrition and Oral Health Training Programs, Senior Scientist at the Institute of Dental Research, and Professor in the departments of Oral Biology, Comparative Medicine, Nutrition Sciences, and Public Health Sciences. As Director of the John J. Sparkman Center for International Public Health, and later Dean of the School of Public Health, Dr Navia worked with University faculty at UAB and other universities to establish faculty training programs in Public Health at universities in the developing world. The local training of faculty ensured graduates that were better able to address public health concerns of the host nation, most notably in Colombia, Jamaica, Peru, and Thailand.

Dr Navia received numerous awards and honors, principally the Senior International Fogarty Fellowship Award 1979; the H. Trendly Dean Award, International Association for Dental Research Award and UAB Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award in 1990, the UAB 1992 President’s Medal, and the Hispanic Dental Association 1995 Presidential Award for Leadership.

After his retirement, Dr. Navia was recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Nutrition, he was presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor in Dental Science at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, and the Global Citizen Award in Recognition of Leadership and Academic Excellence in International Health Education in 2007. Dr. Navia was listed in American Men and Women of Science 1973, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1986.

In retirement, Dr Navia returned to the life of a student, earning a MA degree in Theology from Spring Hill College. In preparing his thesis, he became fascinated with the life of Father Felix Varela, who like himself was exiled from his beloved Cuba and went on to live his life of ministry in this great country. He developed the thesis into a book “An Apostle for the Immigrants” that he self-published in the fall of 2002. In 2005 he established the Padre Varela Award in the UAB Department of Foreign Languages to provide support to faculty members in their scholarly efforts.

Dr. Navia had a great devotion in ministering to the spiritual life of the Hispanic community of Birmingham. He worked to prepare more than 800 families to receive the Sacrament of Baptism at St Stephen and St Peter Catholic Churches. He was very active in the Serra Club of Birmingham since 1975, serving as President in 1993 and District Governor 1997 - 2000. He was invested as Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher in 2003.

He was passionately devoted to his wife and family. It was beautiful to witness the love and respect these lifetime companions shared throughout their entire lives. He was a friend and mentor to his four children and five grandchildren. Always soft spoken, but clearly heard. More a counselor and guide than a dictatorial figure, he helped his charges to think through issues and arrive at their own conclusion. He was a patient, loyal and dependable friend to many. He had a great sense of adventure and was always eager to try new things as he believed in “the practice of what you preach”. He and Josefina travelled all over the world, never tiring of taking on new opportunities. Over the years he would enjoy playing squash at the UAB gym, running in local races, cycling and going routinely to the YMCA with Josefina.

The Navia family expresses a sincere appreciation for the compassionate and expert care provided by the nursing staff from Alacare and their medical Director, Dr S. Perna. The regular visits of the nurses became a time spent with caring friends. Appreciation is also extended to the many friends around the world and his parish family who knew and loved him. Their prayers, phone calls and visits were very comforting. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Eucharistic Ministers from St Peter who came daily so that he and his family could receive communion.

The Navia family shared a tremendous bond. Both father and mother were always a part in all the important events of their children and grandchildren. They were the cheering section, supporting and loving each as individuals. Juan was loved deeply by his children who helped care for him alongside their mother till the end. It was a privilege to support him, as he had done for them their entire lives.

A Rosary will be said on his behalf at 5:30 PM on Thursday, September 9th at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Visitation will follow until 7:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be Friday, September 10th at 10:00 AM at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Juan’s memory to:

Padre Varela Faculty Award

UAB Development Office

HB 407

1530 3rd Ave. South

Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1260, or to

Hispanic Ministry

St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church

2061 Patton Chapel Road

Birmingham, Alabama 35216