Dr. Hugo Charles Lane Jr.

1943 - 2025

Dr. Hugo Charles Lane, Jr.

Mar 8, 1943 - Jan 30, 2025

Dr. Hugo Charles Lane, Jr., 81, of Winston-Salem, NC, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 30, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Martin Lane; and their daughters, Samantha Englerth (Ford) of Los Angeles, CA, and Amanda Long (Andrew) of Greenville, SC; as well as his four beloved grandchildren, Stella Long, Aidan Englerth, Emerson Long and Avery Englerth. He is also survived by his sister, Rose-Marie Spruill of Menifee, CA; sisters-in-law Janet Tantemsapya of Winston-Salem, NC, and Yvonne Englefield of Hornchurch, England; nephews and nieces Mark Aston (Nancy) of Reno, NV, Fay Fradgley (Jeremy) of Andover, England, Steve Spruill (Bianka) of Post Falls, ID, Heidi Robinson (Andy) of Menifee, CA, Susannah Tantemsapya of Los Angeles, CA, Angela Ward (Dave) of Colchester, England, and Jeremy Thornton of Hornchurch, England, and his Gilder family cousins in Paris, France.

Hugo was born March 8, 1943, in Ambala, India and lived in the family home until he was four when he went to boarding school in Kodaikanal, located in the hills of the Himalayas, which was customary for English children living in India during those times. He also attended Downside School near Bath, England before returning to Switzerland to attend Ecole Internationale de Genève. Hugo earned both a B.A. and Lis.D. in Biology from Université de Genève.

Hugo met the love of his life, Nancy Martin, while on the train on their way to school. They debated who "picked up" who that day for more than 60 years. These high school sweethearts were married in Geneva in 1965, and both daughters were born there.

The family moved to Winston-Salem, NC, in 1973, where Hugo was a professor at Wake Forest University's Department of Biology for more than 40 years. He taught vertebrate physiology, endocrinology and biomedical ethics, and served as the Health Professions Advisor for 30 years, counseling thousands of students as they pursued their paths to medical, dental and veterinary schools. His program became a model for pre-health professions advising programs at many other institutions across the country. He was Wake Forest's faculty advisor for Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society for 20 years. As an Englishman, he brought rugby to Wake Forest, coaching and playing with the team for ten years.

Hugo served on the boards of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) and the Southeastern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (SAAHP) in various leadership positions, including as president. He was instrumental in developing pre-health advising as a specialized area of academic advising and was a tireless advocate and pioneer in establishing both into thriving organizations. He was a mentor and role model and was always willing to offer advice. He served as NAAHP's Historian and maintained the role of Historian Emeritus after retirement. Hugo was awarded the inaugural SAAHP Service Award in 2017 for his dedicated service and impact.

At his retirement celebration, many awards Hugo had received were listed off, but the most meaningful tribute to him was when the Biology department chair shared that, "Hugo loved his students…and his students loved him." He was known as a favorite professor among Wake Forest students, and he was honored to receive the Tri Delta Apple Pie Professor Award numerous times.

Hugo made people feel seen and heard. He believed in forgiveness and second chances. As one of his dear friends said, Hugo was one of those rare men who never lost the little boy in him, which could be seen through the mischievous twinkle in his eye and his constant desire to make people laugh with his jokes. Towards the end of his life, Hugo compiled books comprised of the poems he had written over the years, something he was proud of. As another dear friend said, he had the mind of a scientist and the soul of a poet.

Hugo nationalized to become an American after living in the U.S. for more than 20 years as an English citizen, which was a proud moment for him as he loved this country.

Hugo was a devout Catholic who loved his faith and his church, St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. He was a member of several groups within the church and developed many deep friendships with his fellow parishioners. He loved going to breakfast with them at Dukes where he befriended the waitresses and wrote poems for them.

Most of all, Hugo loved his family. Throughout Hugo's cancer journey, he always introduced Nancy as his high school sweetheart to the staff at Atrium Health during their frequent visits, and ensured that his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren witnessed an indelible example of what unconditional marital love should look like.

Hugo's family wishes to thank the exceptional medical team and staff at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hematology and Oncology - Cancer Center, especially Dr. Rupali Bhave and Nurse Practitioner Sarah Robertson Dralle, as well as the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home team, who gave Hugo incredible care and dignity during his final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on February 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 335 Springdale Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, with a reception immediately following.

Donations can be made in Hugo's memory to Leukemia Research Foundation or to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106