Albert Balows

Family-Placed Death Notice

ALBERT BALOWS, PH.D January 3, 1921 to September 23, 2006 Our beloved husband and father, Albert, died unexpectedly Saturday morning following a short illness. The son of Lazarus and Anna (Kleiner) Balows, deceased, he is survived by his adored and devoted wife of 49 years, Patricia Ann Barker, and his loving children: Eve Ellen (Burbage) of Charleston, SC and son, Daniel Scott of Chicago. Dr. Balows received his BA in biology (Lowell scholar) from Colorado College in 1942. After serving in the U.S. Army medical corps from 1943-1946, where he served in Patton's 3rd Army and provided medical support to our troops after D-Day, Albert received his MS in Microbiology from Syracuse University in 1948 and his Ph.D. (Haggin fellow) from the University of Kentucky in 1952. His illustrious career as a microbiologist began at the St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, where he served in the Lexington Clinic from 1952 to 1969, and ultimately took him around the globe, where he worked at the forefront of AIDS research, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Legionaire's Disease, the Ebola Virus and numerous other public health issues. From 1969 until 1981, Albert served as the Director, Bacteriology Division at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. He later served as the Assistant Director of Laboratory Science at CDC until he retired in 1988. At one point he even planned and provided surveillance for bioterrorist activity at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, and helped determine how safe the water supply to the White House was and how to make it foolproof against bioterrorism. Internationally known and acclaimed for his work in applied and clinical microbiology, Dr. Balows was a member of the ASM for more than 50 years. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (1974-1979), Current Microbiology (1982-2005), the editor of Applied Microbiology (1965-1974), Annual Revised Microbiology (1979), the Thomas medical microbiology series (1964-1990), the author and editor of over 75 books on microbiology and infectious diseases, a member of the editorial boards for six scientific journals, the senior editor of the Prokaryotes, 1981 and 1991, and general editor of Topley & Wilson's Microbiology & Microbal Infections, 9th edition 1998. Often recognized for his outstanding contributions to the science of microbiology, Dr. Balows was named the Lab World Microbiologist of the Year in 1980 and had numerous honors bestowed on him throughout his career. They included the Becton-Dickinson award in clinical microbiology in 1981; the Silver Medallion for outstanding contributions to clinical microbiology from the Italian Society of Microbiology in 1983; The P.R. Edwards award for outstanding service furthering high professional ideals and standards in microbiology in 1987; The Louis T. Benezet Distinguished Alumni award from Colorado College in 1988; The Abbottt Laboratories award for development of rapid laboratory diagnostic techniques in 1990; the Distinguished Professional Recognition award from the American Board of Medical Microbiology in 1997; the BioMerieux Sonnenwirth award for exemplary leadership in clinical microbiology in 1999. However, among his most cherished recognitions were the Palmer H.S. hall of Fame and the Colorado College Alumni Award in 1988. Throughout his career, including his work with the World Health Organization, Albert advanced the concept that clinical microbiologists can make a vital contribution to improve the health of all peoples by establishing a cooperative network of collaborating laboratories. A humble man whom one coworker dubbed a "true Renaissance man", Albert will long be remembered as a dedicated and loving family man who was completely and forever devoted to his lovely wife, Ann, who would have celebrated 50 years by his side on October 7th. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 26, at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mt. Vernon Rd., Sandy Springs, GA 30328 (404) 255-0750. Family and friends will meet at the gate to leave for the graveside at 10:00am. Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Rd, Roswell, GA 30076. (770) 993-4811 www.roswellfuneralhome.com