Dr. Philip E. Cryer

Cryer, Dr. Philip E.

beloved husband of the late Carolyn E. Havlin-Cryer, died on February 24, 2024 age 84. He was grateful to his family for their love and support and appreciative of their accomplishments.

Dr. Cryer was the father of Philip C. Cryer and Justine L. Cryer Dugan (Thomas) and step-father of Anthony Havlin, Krista V. Havlin, (Marshall Feeney) and Rebecca Havlin Eberhart; grandfather of Kacy E. Cryer, Benjamin P. Cryer, Matthew P. Dugan, and Emma I. Dugan; step-grandfather of Mollie B. Morton (Michael) and Max Havlin Eberhart; and step-great-grandfather of Liam M. Morton.

A native of El Paso, Illinois, Dr. Cryer received his BA degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Northwestern University and then his MD degree (Alpha Omega Kappa) from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago in 1965. He then served as a resident in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital and a fellow in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Washington University School of Medicine, both in St. Louis, before serving as a U.S. Navy medical officer at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland from 1969 to 1971. He then returned to St. Louis to be chief resident in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital.

Dr. Cryer joined the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine in 1971 and rose to the rank of Professor in ten years. He served as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, and ultimately as the Irene E. and Michael M. Karl Professor of Metabolism and Medicine from 1985 to 2002. He also directed the Washington University General Clinical Research Center from 1973 to 2006. He became Professor of Medicine Emeritus in 2014.

Dr. Cryer studied normal and abnormal human physiology with a focus on low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). He is perhaps best known for his original concept of hypoglycemia Associated Autonomic Failure, which is particularly relevant to clinical hypoglycemia in people with diabetes mellitus. He published 379 scientific papers and three books, and lectured on six continents. His research was recognized by the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement of the American Diabetes Association and by the Claude Bernard Medal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes - both the highest scientific honor awarded by these two organizations-as well as his membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (vice-president 1985) and the American Association of Physicians, his receipt of a prestigious Method to Extend Research and a grant from the National Institute of Health, and an honorary doctorate from University of Copenhagen. His clinical and research prowess was recognized by the endowed Philip E. Cryer and Carolyn Cryer Professor of Medicine position and the Annual Cryer Lecture, both at Washington University School of Medicine. As a volunteer, he served as President of the American Diabetes Association.

Services: A gathering of family and friends to celebrate this remarkable life will take place Sunday, March 17 from 2 - 6 p.m. at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa Street, St. Louis 63109. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Cryer's memory to the Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research division would be greatly appreciated by his family. The address is Campus Box 8127-0057-08 Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. To leave condolence visit www.hoffmeistercolonial.com