Dr. Robert Howard Wagner

Dr. Robert Howard Wagner, Professor Emeritus of Pathology, Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, died at home Monday, December 3, 2001 following an illness. He was born August 11, 1921, in Peru, Ind. and was educated at DePauw Univ. and the Univ. of Cincinnati, where he obtained the Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1950. He joined UNC, where he spent his entire career progressing through the academic ranks to a full professorship. He retired in 1986. Dr. Wagner joined the research group led by Kenneth Brinkhous, M.D., in 1950 and devoted his career to solving the riddle of hemophilia. Perhaps his most important research contribution was the development, together with Dr. Brinkhous and Robert Langdell, M.D., of the Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) test used universally preceding surgery. Dr. Wagner was dedicated to graduate education and directed the graduate program of UNC's pathology dept. from 1964-1986. Collaborative research with his first Ph.D. student, Murray Thelin, made Factor VIII a viable therapeutic entity. Most recently, UNCestablished the Robert H. Wagner Distinguished Professorship in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and a graduate student fellowship, the Robert H. Wagner Scholars Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology. Dr. Wagner rejoiced in the success of his students, who have made valuable contributions in their respective fields. A charter member of the Church of the Holy Family (Episcopal), Dr. Wagner was also a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club and various scientific fellowships.
A devoted family man, Dr. Wagner is survived by his wife, Jean Marjorie Linde Wagner; his children, Sibyl Maureen Wagner and husband, Adams Wofford, of Chapel Hill, Lucy W. Lewis of Carrboro, John Alfred Wagner and wife, Jeanette Sarbo of Chatham Co., Virginia W. Palumbo and husband, the Rev. Paul Palumbo, of Chelan, Wash., Jean Tyson W. Edwards and husband, Roger, of Huntersville, NC, and Elsbeth W. Guiles and husband, Austin, of Carrboro; grandchildren, Anne, Brittany and Matthew Wofford, Jennifer Lewis, Lauren and Jamie Sarbo Wagner, Marguerite, Samuel, Rosa and Emma Palumbo, and, Joshua, Elisabeth, Emily, Sarah, Markus, Wolfe and Jonathan Edwards; sisters, Maurine Wagner and Lillian Wagner of Peru, Ind. and Mrs. George Ewing of Connersville, Ind., and a large extended family.
The funeral and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday in the Church of the Holy Family. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.
Donations in Dr. Wagner's memory may be made to the Church of the Holy Family, 200 Hayes Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Arrangements are with Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.