William Brevard Blythe II

William Brevard Blythe II, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina and long-time resident of Chapel Hill, died December 21 at UNC Hospitals after a heart attack. He was 72.
A native of Huntersville, NC, Blythe was the son of the author LeGette Blythe and Esther Farmer Blythe. He graduated from Huntersville High School at the age of 15, attended Oak Ridge Military Academy for one year, and then entered the University of North Carolina, from which he graduated in 1948 at the age of 19. He attended the two-year program at the UNC Medical School and earned his M.D. at Washington University in St. Louis in 1953. He returned to Chapel Hill and joined the medical school faculty in 1961, specializing in nephrology.
During his more than three decades at the University, he served as director of the Clinical Research Unit, head of the Division of Nephrology, and was instrumental in setting up dialysis units across the state in previously neglected areas.
He won numerous honors, including the Thomas Jefferson Award for excellence in teaching, the Distinguished Faculty Award of the UNC Medical Alumni Association, and the Outstanding Alumnus Award of the Washington University School of Medicine.
His love for his community, his home state and the University was reflected by his involvement with the UNC Press, his participation in the University Presbyterian Church, and his volunteer service to many groups, including the Carol Woods Retirement Center Board of Directors.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 23 at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. The Rev. Bob Dunham will officiate.
Survivors include his wife, GloriaN. Blythe; sons, Will Blythe of New York, David Blythe of Baltimore, John Blythe of Charlottesville, VA; daughter, Anne Blythe of Chapel Hill; brother, Samuel L. Blythe of Winston-Salem; and sister, Lovelace B. Pugh of Huntersville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blythe Family Fund at the University of North Carolina Press, Brooks Hall, 476A, CB #6215, UNC-CH, the Medical Foundation of North Carolina, 880 Airport Road, CB #7565, UNC-CH, and the Health Sciences Library, South Columbia Street, CB #7585, UNC-CH.