Henry T. Bahnson

There will be a memorial service at 1 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2003 in Heinz Memorial Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh for Dr. Henry T. Bahnson, 82, of Fox Chapel, who died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003 at his home.

Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Bahnson was a world-renowned surgeon and medical educator. He received his undergraduate education at Davidson College and completed his medical degree cum laude from the Harvard Medical School. Following a surgical internship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, he served a year in the Navy Reserves in the Philippines. He returned to John Hopkins where, as chief resident in surgery, he thrived academically under Alfred Blalock in the infant field of cardiothoracic surgery, particularly in the specialty of congenital and acquired valvular heart disorders. Dr. Bahnson served as chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh from 1963 to 1987, attracting outstanding surgical investigators and practitioners to Pittsburgh. He laid the groundwork for a tradition of excellence that marks the university's current Department of Surgery. Survivors include four children, David Bahnson, M.D., A. Blalock Bahnson, Suzanne Bahnson Kahley, and Barbara Bahnson-Becer; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; and eldest son, Ted. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Louise P. Bahnson Fellowship Trust Fund, c/o University of Pittsburgh Institutional Advancement, 500 Craig Hall, 200 N. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.