Sidney Frederick Velick Ph.D.

Sidney Frederick Velick Ph.D. 1913 ~ 2007 Sidney Velick, former chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine died December 29, 2007 at the age of 94 in Salt Lake City. He was born in Detroit in 1913, attended city schools, earned B.S. degree at Wayne State University in 1935, Ph.D in biological chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1938. After post-doctoral research at Johns Hopkins and at Yale University, in 1945 he joined the faculty of the Dept. of Biological Chemistry at Washington U. Medical School in St. Louis. In 1964 he moved with his family to Salt Lake City accepting the position of chairman of the Dept of Biochemistry at the University of Utah, School of Medicine, leading the department until 1978. As Professor Emeritus he became a "postdoc" again pursuing research interests in the University's Howard Hughes Institute of Genetics in the Dept. of Biology. His joy was his work with dedication to research in basic science and to understanding how the world works. Sid was widely recognized for his research. Among his honors he earned the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Award, West Germany in 1973, Distinguished Research Award at the University of Utah in 1976 and in 1981 was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the latter among the highest honors granted to American scientists. He was also executive editor of Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics and served on the editorial board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. He loved Utah and its mountains, was an avid skier and hiker until well into his 80's as well as rafting and canoeing on many of the rivers in Utah. Summers were spent with family at their summer cabin in Indianola, Washington. Sid's subtle sense of humor was a delight to many but he gave very serious consideration to political problems and the state of the environment. In 1965 he joined his wife Bernadette as co-founders of the Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City, now in its 41st season. Later due to the mental illness of their daughter, Martha, co-founded the Utah Alliance for the Mentally Ill, advocating reforms in treatment and leading to the establishment in 1986 of Alliance House; a place to belong and to do meaningful work. Sidney Velick is survived by his wife Bernadette; son Dr. William F. Velick and wife Diana of Laguna Beach, CA; granddaughter Christina Velick Patow, great-grandchildren Jessica and Bradley Patow of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Ann Stemler Langlitz, wonderful nieces and step grandchildren. Preceded in death by his daughter Martha Elizabeth Velick. There will be a memorial gathering of friends Mon., February 4, 2008 from 4-6 p.m. at the Officer's Club at Historic Fort Douglas, 150 S. Fort Douglas Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Dr. Sidney F. Velick to the University of Utah, Health Sciences Development, 540 Arapeen Dr. #120. 84108 or to Alliance House, 1724 S. Main St. 84115. The family is very grateful to the medical staff of University Hospital who treated Sid in the final months of his illness.