Paul LoGerfo

PITTSFIELD -- Dr. Paul LoGerfo, 64, of New York Cityand Nyack, N.Y., a world-renowned leader in the field of thyroid and parathyroid surgery, died Sept. 16 of cancer at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. He was the husband of Kristin Larkin LoGerfo, a native of Pittsfield formerly known as Kathy Larkin.

Born in Middletown, N.Y., on June 23, 1939, son of Paul LoGerfo and the late Phyllis Desidero LoGerfo, he received his bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He did his residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in 1968 and went on to head its general surgery and surgical specialties divisions.

Dr. LoGerfo helped to advance the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. In 1977, he developed the thyroglobulin assay, which remains one of the most commonly used methods for detecting recurrent thyroid cancer. In the mid-1980s, he pioneered the field of thyroid and parathyroid surgery by developing a technique for using local anesthesia. He also developed the coarse needle thyroid biopsy, which can provide a more definitive diagnosis of a thyroid nodule, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery.

In 1990, Dr. LoGerfo established a thyroid registry which continues to bank all thyroid operations performed at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. LoGerfo was the David V. Habif professor of surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, co-director of the New York Thyroid Center, which he established in 1994, and president of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

He was an author or co-author of more than 100 scientific articles and several books, including "The Thyroid Guide" (2000), which helps people recognize the symptoms of thyroid disease and obtain proper treatment.

Besides his father of Sarasota, Fla., and his wife, he leaves two daughters, Susan Goetz of Maynard and Cathy Haims of Madison, Conn.; two brothers, Dr. Frank LoGerfo of Boston and Dr. James LoGerfo of Seattle, Wash., and three grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A private funeral Mass was held Sept. 19 at St. John's Church in Piedmont, N.Y. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University, located on West 117 Street and Amsterdam Avenue in New York City. Dr. LoGerfo is survived by his wife, Kristin Larkin LoGerfo, a native of Pittsfield. Kristin is a 1968 graduate of St. Joseph Central High School and a 1970 graduate of Berkshire Community College. She received her undergraduate degree in acting from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and a master's degree from Columbia University. Kristin is a painter in New York City with the Allen Sheppard Gallery. She lives in Nyack, N.Y., and New York City. Kristin's parents, William and Marilyn Larkin, are residents of Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Paul LoGerfo Medical Research and Education Trust, c/o James LoGerfo, 10 East 29th St. #37D, New York, NY 10016.