Alexander Eben Jr. M.D.

Eben Alexander, Jr., M.D.
WINSTON-SALEM -- Dr. Alexander died at his home on Thursday, November 4, 2004. He was born in Knoxville, TN, September 14, 1913 to Elizabeth MacMath and Eben Alexander, MD. He was a graduate of The McCallie School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1935, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As a student at Harvard University Medical School, he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. He graduated cum laude with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1939. His neurosurgery training at Peter Bent Brigham and Children's Hospital in Boston, 1939-1942, was interrupted by World War II and his joining the US Air Force. Most of his military service was in the Pacific Theater. He was discharged in 1946 as a Major, and returned to Boston to complete his training.
In 1949, he joined the full-time faculty of The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, now Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he served as Chief of Neurosurgery from 1949 until 1983 when he was named Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery. He served the Wake Forest University Medical Center in many capacities, including Chief of Professional Services for twenty years, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, the Faculty Executive Committee, as well as a member of the Medical Center Board. He contributed extensively to the medical literature, and served for six years as a member of the NC Board of Medical Examiners and president in 1988. He held leadership posts in a number of neurosurgical societies. As a physician and community servant he extended his care as an advocate for the disables, establishing the North Carolina Paraplegic Society. He dedicated his life to the benefit of his family, his church, his patients, his community, and profession.
Dr. Alexander is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty West Alexander; his three daughters, Jean Dayton Sullivan of Newark, DE, Betsy MacMath Alexander of Charlotte, NC, and Phyllis Alexander Slye of Dedham, MA; son, Dr. Eben Alexander, III of Needham, MA; his grandchildren, Dayton Elizabeth Slye, Charles Slye, Eben Alexander, IV, and Bond Alexander; and sons-in-law, John David Sullivan, Holley Bell Alexander, Robert Clarence Heyward, and David Morrison Slye.
Memorials may be made to the Office of Development of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for the Eben Alexander, Jr., M.D. Chair in Neurosurgery, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2004 at Centenary United Methodist Church by Dr. Michael Brown. A private family burial will be held in Salem Cemetery. A reception will be held following the memorial service in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Vogler Reynolds Funeral Home is assisting the Alexander Family.