FRED PLUM Obituary

PLUM--Fred, on June 11, 2010, age 86. He is survived by his wife, Susan Butler Plum and his children Michael, Christopher and Carol, the children of the late Jean Houston Plum. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Frances Alexander Plum and his sisters, Christine and Marlette Petze Sawyer and his daughter-in-law Maureen Cavanaugh. He was a noted neurologist and professor who was Chairman of the Neurology Department at Weill Cornell Medical School/ New York Hospital for 35 years. He took great pride in his graduates who provide the foundation of the Neurology Department at many medical schools. An expert on the states of consciousness and coma, he was the co-author of many books and articles on the subject. His passionate belief in the right of an individual to define his own quality of life and to die with dignity allowed him to see the treatment sources from the view of the patient, rather than as simply a challenge for the physician. A member of the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Science, he was also the founding editor of the Annals of Neurology. A teacher, a healer, a lover of art and music, there will never be another like him. In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that contributions will be made in his memory to the Department of Neurology for studies of consciousness at Weill Cornell Medical Center, 1300 York Ave., New York City, NY 10021. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 13, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for FRED PLUM

6 Entries

Herbert McDonald

February 2, 2012

As a medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle from 1959-1963, I experienced the unforgettable Dr. Fred Plum as a teacher without peer who seared our brains with knowledge of neurology and our destiny to ask and answer the right questions. We trembled in his presence as if he were Almighty God and he personified medical omniscience. After Dr. Plum there was no fear of faculty.

Susan Fitzpatrick

June 25, 2010

As a Ph.D. student in the Cerebral Metabolism lab my room was next door to the Neurology Department office and Dr. Plum and I would often run into each other in the coffee room early in the morning. He was always encouraging and supportive. I know he struck fear in the hearts of residents - but he was unfailingly helpful and generous with his time and advice to me. I was always glad to see him whenever our paths crossed!

June 20, 2010

as an intern on the old second division at Bellevue I had the opportunity to present neuro cases on rounds to Dr Plum. this was a great learning experience, sometimes a bit intimidating but always rewarding, The world has lost a true pioneer and brilliant mind. Lewis E. Williams,M.D.

Allen Pirkle

June 19, 2010

As an internal medicine resident,
I would present a case with my heart full of pure dread,
But always came out of the conference
with a brain filled with more good bread!
Allen c. Pirkle, MD

Robert Eaddy

June 14, 2010

Some thirty five years ago, I was a teenage employee of Dr. Fred Plum, working as a landscaper and gardener at the Plum family's weekend home in Old Westbury, LI. I also did odd jobs around the home and pool. To this date I have a book Dr. Plum gifted to me when I left home for college, The Ascent of Man. Many years later, my sole sibling was stricken with early-onset Parkinson's Disease, and I very quickly became a volunteer community activist for neurological disorders and an advocate in the Parkinson's Disease movement, rising to become President of the National Parkinson's Foundation Philadelphia Chapter and still continue in my volunteer role at The Parkinson's Action Network, of D.C. In my 11 years as part of this movement, each and every Neurologist and medical professional I have met in this field knew of Dr. Fred Plum. To the medical professionals, they were always pleasantly surprised to learn that I personally knew Dr. Fred Plum, in particular, since my day job is in the banking/trust field. I learned a great deal from Dr. Plum, and as a student of a different kind. The world has lost a fine gentleman and a scholar.

My prayers go out to the Plum family.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert W. Eaddy

Bella Pace M.D.

June 13, 2010

Fred Plum was one of my most outstanding teachers at Cornell University Medical College, is remembered for his brilliance and his insistence on excellence. His impression was so strong that I was thinking about him three days ago although I graduated many decades ago. My condolences to the family.

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