Michael J. Welch

Prominent professor at Washington University School of Medicine, passed away on May 6, 2012. He is survived by his two children, Colin Welch (Susan) and Lesley Tomlin (Chris); and five grandchildren, Colin, Jr., Payton, Ava, Devin and Celia. He will be dearly missed by his long-time companion, Mary ("Mickey") Clarke. Mike was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, attended Cambridge University for both bachelor and master degrees and obtained his doctorate at the University of London in 1965. He began his career at Washington University in 1967 under the mentorship of Michel Ter-Pogossian, PhD and was an integral part of the team that developed positron emission tomography (PET). He was widely regarded as the world's leading radiopharmaceutical chemist. By many, he will be most fondly remembered as a true champion of scientific talent who helped to mold the careers of numerous national and international scientists. In addition to these accomplishments, he had a passion for athletics which he demonstrated by being Captain of the Newcastle High School Swimming Team, playing water polo at Cambridge University and coaching University City Youth Soccer from 1975 - 1983. His athletic interest was also apparent through his regular attendance at local sporting events and early morning viewings of English and European soccer matches. Mike also had an unending love for music and took pride in purchasing the best tickets to the most sought after concerts. He was a well-rounded man who shared his passions with those around him and was a true patriarch of his family. Services: A Memorial Service will be held at Graham Chapel at Washington University at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 4. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Dr. Michael J. Welch Foundation, 55 Walls Drive, Fairfield, Conn., 06824 or visit www.mjwelchfoundation.org. His survivors are establishing the foundation to support research in nuclear medicine.