Dr. David Cardus

DR. DAVID CARDUS, 80, died peacefully on June 1, 2003 at Houston North West Memorial Hospital in Houston. Dr. Cardus was born on August 6th, 1922 in Barcelona, Spain. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Montpellier, France, 1942 and medical education at Barcelona School of Medicine in Spain in 1949. His residency was in Respiratory Diseases (Barcelona, Spain, 1949-1953). He also obtained Postgraduate degrees in Cardiology (Barcelona. 1954-56) and a fellowship in Cardiology at the University of Manchester, 1957. In 1966, he received a PHD in Mathematics for Life Scientists, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In 1958 Dr. Cardus joined the early stages of the American Space program (what later became NASA) in New Mexico, and was the cardiologist in charge of studies regarding the effects of space travel on humans. He monitored the first Astronauts-to be, in preparation of the Project Mercury. He spear headed several projects regarding the effects of zero gravity on humans, as a joint effort between NASA and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His academic achievements include academic appointments as Prof, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1960-1999), Baylor College of Medicine, Professor, Dept. of Physiology, BCM. Adjunct professor, Dept. Mathematical Sciences, Rice University, 1970-88. Research Associate, Dept. of Physiology, The Lovelace Foundation, Albuquerque, NM, 1967-60. Research Associate, Dept. of Physiology, University of Barcelona, 1954-1955. Honorary awards include: Baylor College of Medicine, Doctor Honoris Causa, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, Doctor Honoris Causa, 1993. In addition, he received many honors from the Catalan government and Catalan organizations, including the highest honor conveyed by the Catalan Government. Dr. Cardus was an exceptional human being. He was a scientist with a great love of culture and music. As founder and president of the A.I.C.S. (American Institute for Catalan Studies) he was very instrumental in promoting Catalonia in the U.S. Many catalan artists, including Jose Carreras, were sponsored by the A.I.C.S He had several passionate loves; his family, his native land, and his life's work. He is survived by his wife, Francesca Cardus, his children, Hellena, Silvia, Bettina and David Cardus, their spouses, Mike, Emilio, Greg and Celina, and grandchildren: Laura, Adrian, Nicole, Marc, Paul, David Justin and Daniela. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a scholarship fund for promoting Catalonia through the AICS organization. Donations can be made at any Bank of America using the following information: Account name: American Institute for Catalan Studies.