Marcus Krupp M.D.

Marcus A. Krupp, MD

100, died on January 18, 2014 at his home in Portola Valley, CA.

A graduate of Stanford University in 1934 and its School of Medicine in 1939, Dr. Krupp was a founder of the Palo Alto Medical Research Institute where he served as director for 36 years.  He taught at Stanford's School of Medicine and remained active there until his death.   At the medical school he received the Albion Walter Hewlett Award for his career as a physician and the J. E. Wallace/"Muleshoe" Award as a distinguished alumnus.  Stanford University also awarded Dr. Krupp the Gold Spike for his many years of volunteer leadership service. 

Dr. Krupp was born in El Paso, Texas in 1913 and lived in Miami, Arizona from age two until he entered Stanford in 1930 with the goal of becoming a physician.  He earned his MD at Stanford School of Medicine when it was still located in San Francisco.

Dr. Krupp's introduction to laboratory medicine came during World War II, when he was assigned to the laboratory at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco.  He then served at several military hospitals, including a brief stint in the Philippines, and after the war was named chief of clinical pathology at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco.  Four years later, Russel V. Lee, MD, founder of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, approached him to become director of research and supervisor of laboratories.

In 1950, Dr. Krupp became a founder of the Research Institute at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) and served as director there until 1986.  A plaque in the lobby of PAMF's Research Institute captures the essential nature of its longtime director.  "Marc Krupp, an unassuming man of slight physical stature and self-deprecating humor, a man loved and respected by his colleagues, made an impact that extends far beyond the Institute. As a teacher, mentor, editor and administrator, his influence has been felt nationally and internationally."

In 1961, Dr. Krupp founded the Association of Independent Research Institutes.  From the original 11 organizations, the association has grown to 80 independent institutes, which receive significant funding from the National Institutes of Health and offer an important complement to university-based research.  In 1966 he also served as president of the California Academy of Medicine.

In his own community, Dr. Krupp used the nonprofit umbrella of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation to help other worthwhile local organizations get off the ground, including the Children's Health Council and the Mental Research Institute.

"We never simplify things," said Dr. Krupp.  "The more we learn, the more complex it gets.  The perimeter of research is growing.  The center is known now, so we're working out on the perimeter, expanding the whole field of knowledge.  That's what research is all about. It's pretty exciting stuff."

Dr. Krupp was preceded in death by his first wife Muriel McClure, his son David and his brother Robert.  Along with his wife Donna, he is survived by sons Michael and Peter, daughter Sara Krupp Kinney, granddaughters Katy, Elizabeth and Whitney, and nieces and nephews.

Dr. Krupp and his wife Donna Goodheart Krupp were philanthropic champions of Stanford University and Stanford School of Medicine, as well as many other local non-profit institutions.  Persons wishing to make a gift in Dr. Krupp's honor may send a donation, made out to Stanford University and designating "The Krupp Memorial Fund," to Stanford University Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466.

A festive celebration of Dr. Krupp's life will be held on Sunday, March 2 at Stanford University Faculty Club from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with the program beginning at 2:45.  Valet parking will be provided.  Guests should RSVP to michaelwelch95407@gmail.com.