KENNETH BECKER

BECKER--Kenneth L. Dr. Kenneth L. Becker, MD, PhD., passed away at his Washington, D.C. home on July 11, 2021 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Nicole Becker, his daughters, Emmanuelle Lindbergs and Frederique McKenna, his grandchildren, Elias and Charlotte Lindbergs and Alix and Andrew McKenna, and his great-grandson, Owen Williams. Internationally recognized for his contributions to endocrinology and internal medicine, Dr. Becker has had an extraordinarily productive career as Director of Endocrinology and Metabolism at both the Washington, D.C. Veteran's Administration Medical Center and George Washington University. He has authored 230 research publications and several books and made a remarkably varied contribution to modern medicine. Early in his career, he was awarded the Mayo Clinic Alumni Meritorious Award for his research on chromosomal abnormalities. Subsequent discoveries include identifying the presence of insulin in the brain, establishing the links between thyroid disease and gynecomastia, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, and hypothyroidism and connective tissue disorders, the paraneoplastic expression of calcitonin, and the role of procalcitonin in inflammation and sepsis. In 2013, Dr. Becker received the American College of Physicians John Phillips Memorial Award for Outstanding Work in Clinical Medicine for his groundbreaking research and distinguished mentorship. Physicians around the world still consult the multi-authored Principles of Endocrinology and Metabolism, now in its third edition, which he planned and edited. In 1966, after testifying before Congress as an advocate for his Veteran's Administration physician colleagues, Dr. Becker founded the National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians. As Professor of Medicine and Professor of Physiology and Experimental Medicine at George Washington University Medical School, Dr. Becker trained two generations of physicians. His students fondly recall his intellectual rigor, empathy, humor, and compassionate bedside manner. Dr. Becker was the recipient of the Endocrine Society's Outstanding Educator award for 2007. He won several Golden Apple Awards and the Outstanding Teacher Award at George Washington University. Dr. Becker will be missed and fondly remembered by all who had the honor and the pleasure of knowing him.