Stephen Carmichael Ph.D.

1945 - 2025

Stephen Carmichael, Ph. D

July 17, 1945 - August 30, 2025

Rochester, Minnesota - Stephen Carmichael passed away peacefully at his home in Rochester, MN on 30 August 2025. He was born on 17 July 1945 in Detroit, MI. After his father's discharge from the Marines, the family moved to Modesto, CA.

In 1963, Stephen graduated from Thomas Downey High School and enrolled at Kenyon College in Gambier OH, majoring in biology. He earned a Ph.D. in Anatomy at Tulane University in New Orleans in 1971, graduating at the top of his class in. Kenyon College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1988.

Stephen married Adrienne St. Pierre in 1971 and they moved to Morgantown, WV where their son, Allen Carmichael, was born. Stephen began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. In 1982 Stephen joined Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, where he developed courses in gross anatomy, histology, and embryology. He became Professor of Anatomy in 1986 and Chair of the Department of Anatomy in 1991, retiring in 2007 with the titles Professor and Chair Emeritus of Anatomy and Professor Emeritus of Orthopedic Surgery.

At a scientific meeting, Stephen met Dr. Susan Stoddard; they later became research collaborators and married in May 1992. Stephen and Susan loved to travel. By April 2025 Stephen had visited 148 different countries. On his 50th birthday, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro, accompanied by Susan, and summited it again in 2008. Stephen and Susan visited all seven continents and circumnavigated the globe twice.

Stephen's exemplary professional service was recognized by Distinguished Service Awards from the American Association for Anatomy, the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA), of which he was a founding member, and the Microscopy Society of America. He received the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award and the AACA's Honored Member Award.

Stephen's family, colleagues, and friends will forever cherish and remember his enthusiasm for life, his love of teaching, his desire to make the world a better place, his friendship and love. His scientific legacy is seen in the work of his students, mentees, and colleagues.

Stephen is survived by his wife Dr. Susan Stoddard, his son Allen Carmichael (Lana) and beloved grandchildren Magnolia and Bowie; siblings Cathy Corey (Steve), Andi Broom (Scott), Forrest Carmichael (Sally); and former wife Adrienne St. Pierre Dormody.

Stephen donated his body to the Body Donation Program at Mayo Clinic where he will continue to contribute to medical education.