Lauren Taggart

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of member Arthur Broadus, M.D., Ph.D., on October 22, 2020. Dr. Broadus was the Ensign Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the Yale School of Medicine. His research led to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia and other disorders of calcium metabolism. He was the Chief of Endocrinology for 20 years and was a driving force behind the creation of The Anlyan Center, but his true passion was mentoring the next generation of scientists. He was a recipient of The Frederic C. Bartter Award from ASBMR in recognition of his outstanding clinical investigation for disorders of bone and mineral metabolism in 1989. He also served as Program Co-Chair for the ASBMR-IBMS Second Joint Meeting in 1998. Join us in recognizing Dr. Broadus’ contributions to our field by sharing a memory below or making a donation in his honor to the ASBMR Fund for Research and Education.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of member Maria Luisa Bianchi, M.D., an esteemed clinician and researcher in the pediatric metabolic bone diseases, who made enormous contributions to the field of rare bone disease. Dr. Bianchi was a kind and passionate person, gentle and very caring about her young patients. Join us in recognizing Dr. Bianchi’s contributions to our field by leaving a note below or contributing a donation in her honor.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of member Bruce Ettinger, M.D. on June 15, 2020. Dr. Ettinger was an adjunct research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research; and an emeritus clinical professor of medicine and radiology at the University of California, San Francisco. He contributed greatly to the research and study of osteoporosis throughout his career. Dr. Ettinger had a distinguished publishing career as well, authoring and co-authoring more than 137 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and has written numerous book chapters. He has spent 30 years practicing endocrinology and internal medicine. Join us in recognizing Dr. Ettinger’s contributions to our field by sharing a memory or making a contribution in his honor.

It is with great sadness that the family of Solomon Epstein, M.D. informs you of his passing on February 2, 2020. Dr. Epstein was a Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his academic career, he had a distinguished career as an endocrinologist and at one time named one of Philadelphia’s top 10 endocrinologists. Dr. Epstein’s profound research included the discovery of calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressants causing profound bone loss after an organ transplantation. Dr. Epstein was an active member of ASBMR, where he was inducted in the 2018 class of ASBMR fellows. He had a distinguished publications career serving as co-editor of the Oxford American Handbook of Endocrinology and Diabetes and was the author of over 250 peer-reviewed publications. The family asks contributions in Dr. Epstein’s memory be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

It is with great sadness that the family of Timothy Murray, M.D., FRCPC informs you of his passing on August 27, 2019. Dr. Murray was Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and had a distinguished career as an endocrinologist and medical researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital. His research on parathyroid hormone and osteoporosis was widely recognized. He was director of the Toronto Centre of the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study, an epidemiological study on bone health in Canada. Dr. Murray was a founding member of the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, as well as an active member of ASBMR and ISCD. For his significant contributions to osteoporosis research and education in Canada, Dr. Murray was awarded the Order of Canada in 2006. A service to honor Dr. Murray’s life will be held at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St. W., Perth, ON, on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 2:00PM, followed by a reception in the Blair & Son Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation to Osteoporosis Canada or TV Ontario. Messages of condolence may be left below or at www.blairandson.com.

We are saddened to announce the passing of ASBMR member John J.B. Anderson, Ph.D. John was an accomplished researcher in the field of calcium and bone metabolism who contributed greatly to our understanding of the non-pharmacologic management of osteoporosis. John is perhaps best known for his work on the effects of calcium intake and physical activity on peak bone mass in young women. John authored nearly one hundred peer reviewed manuscripts and over forty book chapters, continuing his research mentorship after formal retirement through his adjunct professorship with the Gillings School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina. John was also a member of the American Society of Nutritional Sciences, the American College of Nutrition, the American Society for Clinical Nutrition and the International Bone and Mineral Society. John also served on the editorial boards of Journal of American College of Nutrition, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Nutrition Research, Nutrition Today, Osteoporosis International and Nutrition and Food Science. John was also a past president of the American College of Nutrition. John also received the Distinguished Service Award of the American Heart Association and the Distinguished Career Award from the American College of Nutrition. We express our sincerest condolences to John’s wife Betsey and this family at this difficult time. Join us in recognizing Dr. Anderson’s contributions to our field by sharing a memory on the ASBMR Website or contributing a donation in his honor.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, M.D., Distinguished Professor, Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of California, San Diego. Self-described as a "pathological optimist", Dr. Barrett-Connor is internationally acclaimed with a outstanding record of research accomplishments. Her role as leader of the Lipids Research Clinics Prevalence Study enabled her to establish the Rancho Bernardo Study, groundbreaking at the time for its inclusion of men and women, with the flexibility to develop over time. The Rancho Bernardo Study is still going strong over four decades later, and has led to insights into the biology of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone health and menopause. Her tremendous impact is not in research alone, but is also reflected through her teaching, encouragement, and mentorship of generations of physicians and scientists. Join us in recognizing Dr. Barrett-Connnor’s contributions to our field by sharing a memory on the ASBMR Website or contributing a donation in her honor.

It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jay M. McDonald, M.D., Professor Emeritus at University of Alabama at Birmingham, on June 5, 2019. Dr. McDonald’s academic career spanned three decades and included Directorship of the Division of Laboratory Medicine in the Departments of Pathology and Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis for 10 years as well as Chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for nearly 20 years. Dr. McDonald also directed an NIH-funded Center for Metabolic Bone Disease—one of five in the country—from 1996-2010. Dr. McDonald left a legacy of integrity and vision. The effects of Dr. McDonald’s role supporting excellence in research and teaching continue to be felt. His passing is a true loss for the field of pathology. Join us in recognizing Dr. McDonald’s contributions to our field by sharing a memory on the ASBMR Website or contributing a donation in his honor.

It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Anthony W. Norman, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside, on June 14, 2019 at the age of 81. Anthony W. Norman was a former ASBMR Councilor, recipient of the William F. Neuman Esteemed Award and a pioneer in the study of Vitamin D. Some highlights of his career include discovering that vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone by the body and determining that vitamin D receptors (VDR) were present in the intestine. In 1972, Dr. Norman treated the first uremic patients with the steroid hormone, produced in the Norman laboratory. He was an organizer of the Vitamin D workshops that started in 1973, including one that took place in May 2019 in New York City, USA. Dr. Norman also co-organized a special evening session on vitamin D at the ASBMR Annual Meetings. His passing is a true loss for the field of bone and vitamin D. Join us in recognizing Dr. Norman’s contributions to our field by sharing a memory on the ASBMR Website or contributing a donation in his honor.

It is with sadness we share the news of the passing of Dr. Michael Kleerekoper after a long illness. Dr. Kleerekoper will be remembered as a prominent physician and scientist who was nationally recognized as an expert in the field of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Dr. Kleerekoper obtained his undergraduate and medical training, as well as internship and residency, at the University of Sydney in Australia. He then came to the United States for fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Washington University School of Medicine and The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis (now Barnes-Jewish). Upon completion of his fellowship, he joined the faculty at Henry Ford Hospital in 1976 and began his research focus in the area of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. While at Henry Ford, he served in various roles as Senior Staff Physician, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, Deputy Director of the Bone & Mineral Research Laboratory, Director of the Center for Osteoporosis Research and lastly, Division Head of the Bone & Mineral Division from 1985 until his departure in 1993, when he left to join as tenured faculty at Wayne State University. At Wayne State, he served as the Director of Research for the areas of Bone and Mineral Metabolism and Gerontology for the School of Medicine. He ultimately joined the faculty at The University of Toledo Medical School where he was Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Section Chief of the Endocrinology Division. Mike Kleerekoper was an outstanding investigator, superior physician and an inspiring instructor. He was extensively funded by the NIH, widely published, and was on the editorial board of journals dedicated to osteoporosis. In 2006, Dr. Kleerekoper was recognized with the distinguished honor of Master of The American College of Endocrinology (MACE). His passing represents a loss to the specialty of Endocrinology. Please join your colleagues in sharing your fond memories of Mike. ASBMR will share these messages with his family. Post your memory or condolences below, or consider making a donation in his memory.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Webster S.S. Jee, one of the giants in our field on April 3, 2018. Dr. Jee was born in Oakland, California, where he grew up. He served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II and then earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Web joined the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1951, where he began his bone research career as an Anatomist/Radiobiologist, eventually receiving his Ph.D. in 1959. Web was Director of the Radiobiology Bone Group/Laboratory and Professor of Anatomy at Utah for nearly fifty years. He not only conceived of, organized, and directed the Sun Valley Hard Tissue Workshop from 1970-2004, but also was instrumental in helping bone scientists in the People’s Republic of China organize their early bone research-related meetings. As the 2003 recipient of the ASBMR Gideon A. Rodan Excellence in Mentorship Esteemed Award, Dr. Jee was a pioneer in the field of pre-clinical bone biology and pharmacology. Web not only did numerous experiments that revealed fundamental principles about bone behavior in the adult skeleton, but also trained over 200 scientists from across the world in his newly developed techniques. His research topics included the earliest morphologic demonstration of dynamic bone remodeling in the adult skeleton; early investigation of the hematogenous origin of osteoclasts; and development/pre-clinical testing of the idea of rescuing low bone mass with an anabolic agent then preserving the new bone with an anti-resorptive agent, a concept that is now used clinically. Many of Dr. Jee’s trainees went on to do pre-clinical and clinical research that contributed to the development of today’s bone therapeutic agents. Web wrote over 800 papers, scientific articles, book chapters, abstracts, reviews, and editorials. The impact of his body of work on our current understanding of bone biology and development of bone therapeutic agents is immense. In addition to his contributions to the bone field, Dr. Jee will be remembered as an innovator, mentor, and man of great grace, humility, and good humor, who was forever devoted to creating opportunities for young scientists. Please join your colleagues in sharing your fond memories of Web. ASBMR will share these messages with his family. Post your memory or condolences below.

It is with great sadness that ASBMR announces the passing of member Dr. Mary Ruppe, M.D. an exceptional physician, researcher, scholar, athlete, and mother, on March 14, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Dr. Ruppe became the endocrinology fellowship program director and director of the bone disease clinic at Houston Methodist Hospital in 2012 as a specialist in treating children and adults with genetic bone diseases. Dr. Ruppe was truly a special person, loved, respected and admired by family, friends, colleagues and patients whose outpouring of sympathy leave little doubt that she had a positive impact on the lives of all she touched. Contributions in memory of Dr. Mary Ruppe may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rock Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or via internet at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org. Join us in remembering Dr. Ruppe’s contributions to the field field by leaving a note or sharing a memory below.

It is with great sadness that ASBMR announces the passing of Norman Howard Bell, M.D., professor emeritus at the Medical University of South Carolina and founding member of ASBMR, on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the age of 86. He will be remembered for his keen intellect, traditional values, and remarkable research success. Supported through continuous grants from the NIH, he and his colleagues made great strides in the fundamental understanding of Vitamin D deficiencies and the prevention of osteoporosis. In addition to his research, Dr. Bell mentored young people who are carrying on the research that he initiated. Join us in recognizing Dr. Bell’s contributions to our field by leaving a note, sharing a memory below, or contributing a donation in his honor.

Our community has lost a excellent clinician who was appreciated by her patients and was also a meticulous researcher. Dr. Monique Arlot, M.D. passed away on November 2, 2017. Dr. Arlot was among the first collaborators of Professor Pierre Meunier in Lyon, France. There she participated in research on various bone diseases, including osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of bone. She was an expert in bone histomorphometry, particularly the assessment of dynamic remodeling indices using tetracycline labeling, and performed the bone biopsies in the Department of Rheumatology of the Edouard Herriot Hospital in Lyon. Monique has been a member of the ASBMR for many years. We are thinking of her family and friends, and we send them our deepest sympathy. To share a kind thought or memory of Dr. Arlot, please leave your thoughts below.

ASBMR is saddened by the passing of a long-time member Jeffrey L. H. O’Riordan, Emeritus Professor of Metabolic Diseases at University College London. Dr. O’Riordan, a physician at the London’s Middlesex Hospital for over 30 years, established a world-class research program in PTH, vitamin D and mineral metabolism. His contributions to human disease were especially notable. He was an innovator in clinical assay development, which enabled definitive studies of the metabolic disturbances in patients with parathyroid disease and dysregulated vitamin D metabolism. His later work was instrumental in identification of PHEX gene mutations in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets. Dr. O’Riordan trained a host of clinical and basic researchers, many of whom are now international leaders in the field of bone and mineral research. One of his trainees commented “JLH was committed to human research and to educating his students in clinical medicine; he was “translational” before this word became popular”. Dr. O’Riordan was an enthusiastic and generous collaborator whose home in central London became a meeting place for scientists as they crossed the globe. To share a kind thought or memory of Dr. O’Riordan, please use the space below, or leave a donation in his memory.