Frank Hinman Jr.

Frank Hinman, Jr., M.D., 1915-2011 Frank Hinman, Jr., passed away on May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California, the city of his birth and career. Hinman was a renowned surgeon, genitourinary educator, and illustrator. His father, Frank Hinman, Sr., was the first trained urologist in California. Frank Jr., was born on October 2, 1915, educated at Grant and Galileo public schools, and graduated from Stanford University with Great Distinction in 1937. Completing an MD at Johns Hopkins Medical School, he stayed for internship from 1941-42. After two years of surgical residency in Cincinnati he was called to duty in the Navy with the Seabees in the Pacific Theater of WWII before reassignment to the carrier Intrepid. After the war he completed urology residency training at the University of California and joined his father in private practice. In 1948 Frank married Marion Modesta Eaves who preceded him in death in 2006. He became actively engaged in urological research and education at the university and nationally. In 1951 he was one of the eight founders of the Society of Pediatric Urology. In 1958 he became the Chief of Urology at San Francisco General Hospital. His research interest in bladder defense mechanisms achieved 17 years of NIH support and led to better clinical approaches to infection. He described one form of bladder dysfunction now known as the Hinman Syndrome. Promotion to Clinical Professor at UCSF came in 1962. He authored over 250 scientific articles and numerous books including the Atlas of Urologic Surgery, the Atlas of Pediatric Urologic Surgery, and UroSurgical Anatomy. He was urologic consultant for Stedman's Medical Dictionary. Hinman won many honors including Pediatric Urology Medal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Barringer Medal of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, Valentine Medal of the New York Academy of Medicine, Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award from Johns Hopkins, and honorary membership to the Gold-Headed Cane Society at UCSF. The American Urological Association honored him with the Hugh Young Award, the Ramon Guiteras Medal, and the William P. Didusch Award for contributions to medical art. He was a Trustee of the American Board of Urology, a founding member and President of the Society of University Urologists, Vice President of the American College of Surgeons, and President of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons to name a few leadership positions. During quieter moments of war time service, Frank took up painting and continued to the end of his life. One painting was published in Life Magazine and two were cover illustrations for the Journal of the American Medical Association. Frank produced 150 canvases, two one person shows, and in later years switched to acrylic paint, explaining wryly "because it dries quickly". He and Marion had a great love of sailing and Frank was named Yachtsman of the Year in 1998 by the San Francisco Yacht Club. He was a devoted member of the Bohemian Club and the St. Francis Yacht Club. Although the oldest of the five children (all sons of Frank Hinman, Sr. and his wife Mittie Fitzpatrick), the other four preceded him in death. Frank and Marion had no children but left behind a great legacy of trainees and friends, in addition to many contributions to their community and to urology. Dr. Hinman is survived by his two sisters-in-law Mrs. Sally Lewis (children: Windermere Tirados and Dixie Lewis) and Mrs. Alice Hinman (children: Alanson Jr., William, Robert F., and Frank II). He had elected cremation by the Neptune Association with his ashes scattered on his beloved Pacific Ocean. A "celebration of life" service will held at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco at a later date.