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ROY KORSON Obituary

DR. ROY KORSON - SHELBURNE - Dr. Roy Korson, 90, died Aug. 24, 2013, in the company of relatives and friends in Shelburne at the Wake Robin Senior Living Community. Along with his wife, Lorraine, who survives him, he lived for more than six decades as an accomplished and respected member of the Burlington community. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington. Roy Korson was born Oct. 24, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pa., to David and Sarah Korson. His father was a sales representative for several motion picture companies, and his mother raised Roy and his three siblings. After graduating from Olney High School in Philadelphia, he majored in biology at the University of Pennsylvania, and received his M.D. in 1947 from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Dr. Korson was a resident in pathology at Mary Fletcher Hospital. He became a full-time faculty member at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1951, and was a professor in the Department of Pathology until he became emeritus in 1992. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Korean War. He dedicated his efforts after that to clinical pathology at Fletcher Allen Hospital and teaching medical students at the University of Vermont. Dr. Korson was a research fellow in the U.S. Public Health Service at Columbia University and UVM, and was the recipient of a Research Cancer Career Development Award (1958-63). He was also a visiting scientist at the Postgraduate Medical School in London (196162). Dr. Korson's longstanding interest in the basic mechanisms of carcinogenesis led to many publications, as well as intensive involvement with the Vermont Division of the American Cancer Society, for which he served two terms as president, and also as a member of the ACS national Board of Directors. In addition to research, Dr. Korson was recognized by his colleagues and students as one of the outstanding teachers at the College of Medicine, receiving many awards throughout his career including two Teacher of the Year awards. Dr. Korson also provided for a legacy of his dedication to teaching and scholarship: in 2012, he and his wife established the Roy and Lorraine Korson Green and Gold Professorship in the Department of Pathology at UVM, to promote academic excellence. UVM students and the Medical School were extremely fortunate to have Roy Korson as a Pathology professor. He was always available for his students and will be remembered for his patience and for his clear, rational explanations to their questions. In addition to his reputation as an outstanding teacher and skilled clinician and researcher, Dr. Korson served for many years as treasurer of the medical staff at Fletcher Allen Health Care. He achieved such impressive investment returns that the staff was able to donate one million dollars to the Dr. John Herschel Davis Auditorium, and his humorous quarterly treasurer's reports were legendary among his colleagues. On the personal side, Dr. Korson was a respected role model, entertaining humorist, and a wonderful friend. He taught his students much more than science, providing a model of respect for others and an example of what it means to live a principled, humane life. He also had a sly sense of humor. Roy would often unexpectedly pull a harmonica from his pocket and play musical medleys, and was famous for his renditions of popular TV commercials. Whatever the setting, he was always the life of any gathering. Roy was an active member of Ohavi Zedek Synagogue; he enjoyed music and theater, gardening and stamp collecting. Dr. Korson is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine; sister, Ruth Gardiner of Portland, Ore.; brother, Donald and wife, Betty Jeanne, of suburban Philadelphia and Cape Breton Island; as well as several nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his many close colleagues and friends. The family is grateful for the kindness of the staff at Wake Robin and Roy's doctor and friend, Dr. Frank Landry. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at 11 a.m. in Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, followed by interment at the Hebrew Holy Society Cemetery, 319 Patchen Road, South Burlington. Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors. Donations may be sent in Dr. Korson's name to the Vermont Division of the American Cancer Society, in lieu of flowers or other remembrances.

Published by The Burlington Free Press on Aug. 26, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for ROY KORSON

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One change to his bio. My Aunt Lorraine did not outlive Roy for long. I miss them both.

Gloria Gardiner

Family

August 26, 2023

Still, after 10 years, feel a sense of personal loss. A wonderful person, physician and teacher.

Lester H. Wurtele, MD

August 20, 2023

A wonderful teacher, mentor and friend, who made a major impact on my life and career. He will always be missed.

Lester H. Wurtele, MD

School

August 20, 2023

One of the finest individuals and finest teachers I have ever known. It is a privilege to have known him.

Lester H. Wurtele, MD

School

August 21, 2022

I miss Uncle Roy all the time. What else can I say?

Gloria Gardiner, Portland, Oregon

August 20, 2021

I was sorry to hear that Roy had died last month. Roy was thoughtful, kind and sometimes provided a mixture of sarcasm and laughter that made many of reevaluate our thoughts. He was a physician's physician and taught me much in the years I spent at UVM.

Jerry Yates

September 24, 2013

One of the kindest and most patient teachers I recall from my student days at UVM. I regret that I never heard him play the harmonica!
His family was privileged to embrace him as their own. My condolences on their loss.
Don R. Lipsitt, M.D. Class of 19567

Don Lipsitt

September 13, 2013

I am saddened by the pasing of Dr Korson. He was a dedicated and stimulating teacher.
Constance M Passas MD
Class of 1974

Constance Passas

September 12, 2013

I remember Dr. Korson well and learned dermatopathology from him while a resident in pathology at UVM. He was a wonderful teacher and a kind man. How nice to learn about his extensive background, contributions and experiences in life and how lucky we were to have him for so long.

Nancy Cornish MD

September 12, 2013

Roy was a wonderful teacher and friend. We are both saddened by his passing. He was an inspiration to those of us fortunate enough to have known him. He was one of a kind.

Irma & Les Wurtele (MD 1964)

September 12, 2013

My mother, Ruth K. Gardiner, is Roy Korson's older sister. He was her favorite person in the family. Brother Roy was the funniest man on Earth. Almost anything he said could make her laugh. He was also God because he was a doctor.

Every summer, starting when I was 3 years old, the Gardiner Ford land yacht was loaded with luggage, tuna sandwiches, and a gallon thermos of lemonade for the 400-mile drive from Philadelphia to Burlington, to spend my father's short summer vacation with Uncle Roy and Aunt Lorraine in the exotic land of milk cows and Morgan horses.

Who could forget the medical school Animal House with Joe the gorilla, the file cabinets filled with plastic-wrapped slices of diseased human organs, scenic drives in the Vermont countryside, riding the ski lift at Stowe, swimming in Lake Champlain, the tropical fish tank in the living room, the foldable boat Uncle Roy called the Klepper Schlepper, his homemade pickles, and watching him nod off in his favorite chair in front of the TV?

I knew that Dr. Roy Korson was a well-respected pathologist, researcher, and professor, but for me, he was someone who loved me and whom I loved. I continued to visit Uncle Roy and Aunt Lorraine as an adult. They always made me feel welcome. They were my other parents.

Uncle Roy loved his work and continued doing it after he retired, interviewing medical school applicants, attending conferences, and in other ways volunteering his knowledge and skills to the medical community. He fixed everything around the house until age slowed him down. He developed two new interests late in life: cooking and collecting hippos.

I last saw Uncle Roy in July. It was very painful to see him frail, bent over, walking with a cane, plagued by physical health problems. But he was still Uncle Roy – intelligent, thoughtful, outraged at the self-important fools of the world, caring, funny. We had a great time doing impersonations and making up stories and making each other laugh.

There was, is, and always will be, no one like my Uncle Roy.

Gloria Gardiner

September 3, 2013

Don and b.J. Korson remember their beloved brother with sadness and joy. He was always a kind and wise counselor who guided our family thru health crises with rational and reassuring advice. He was a wonderful teacher and friend as well as a brother. He was a rock to our family. We will always cherish his memory. Don and Betty-Jeanne Korson

September 3, 2013

Very fond memories of holidays and special occasions with "Uncle Roy" and "Aunt Lorraine". Was always entertaining with his quick wit and musical renditions. Warm, welcoming and loving to us and our children. We will miss him. Joyce (Faigel) and Richard Blatt

Joyce Blatt

September 2, 2013

Dr Korson and his wife, Lorraine, and my folks, spent lovely hours socializing when I was a child - I remember Dr. Korson playing his harmonica! My father has told me many stories about Roy. I know he was a terrific teacher who really made his mark not just in terms of knowledge, but life philosophies and his caring ethics and compassion. I offer condolences to family, friends, the community. Sincerely, Laura Koplewitz

Laura Koplewitz

August 28, 2013

Dr. Korson was one of the very best. My husband Ray Leach would often say how wonderful it was to work with such a fine man as he was. I remember attending gatherings where we enjoy his company.it is a sad day to loose someone so special. I have some wonderful memories of Dr. Korson and will cherish them. Melody Leach

August 27, 2013

Roy really loved music. I was on the Lane Series Board with him for many years and always enjoyed our chats about classical compositions and why music was an important part of life. He was a man of many interests. Kay H. Ryder

August 27, 2013

A very nice man, who was a great proctor for Pathology. 25 years later I still think of this man. Kind of says volumes.

David

August 26, 2013

Kristina Holmes

August 26, 2013

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