Jerome Fields Eastham Sr.

EASTHAM, JEROME FIELDS, SR. - age 83 of Knoxville, died August 22nd, 2008 at UT Hospital of complications from Parkinson's. Born Sept. 22nd, 1924 in Daytona Beach, FL, he grew up in Lake City, FL and completed high school in Hazard, KY. He served in the US infantry during WW II before graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1948. After marrying Pauline Dunklin in 1949, he went on to graduate studies in organic chemistry at UC Berkeley, where he earned a PhD. His dissertation was about the chain labeling and stereochemistry of cholesterol. A fellowship sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission at the University of London was followed by another at the University of Wisconsin. In 1953 he accepted a position as assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Tennessee. He rose to full professor in 1962 and taught at UT for 39 years. In the late 1960's he served in the Faculty Senate and on the Athletic Board at UT. His research led to a national reputation in organic chemistry with an emphasis on synthesis, structure, and reactivity of steroids. His interests broadened to include organo- metallic compounds and to neurochemistry. After a divorce he remarried Laura Dean in 1969. With her encouragement he pursued his interest in neuroscience by completing a Doctor of Medicine degree in Memphis in 1973. A residency in Internal Medicine led to a new career even as he continued to teach organic chemistry to a new generation of students. At the UT Research Hospital his practice included teaching rounds for medical residents and an attending physician for the Dept. of Internal Medicine there from its founding until his retirement in 1995. Post-retirement years were rich ones, spent travelling with his wife Laura and in varied activities with grandchildren. Declining health curtailed much of his travel in his final years, but he continued to enjoy a close relationship with his grandchildren. These were instrumental in the family's ability to care for "Doc" at home, particularly Mason Bolton, who devoted countless hours to his grandfather. Dr. Eastham is survived by his devoted wife Laura, his sister Ann Raleigh Clark, children Jerome F. Eastham Jr., Edward D. Eastham, Grace E. Dunlap, Katherine E. Eastham, and David G. Eastham, and 15 grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service will be announced. In keeping with his wishes, his body has been donated to the UT Medical School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jerome Eastham Endowed Fellowship at UT. Please contact the UT Development Office for details.