Nuclear Medicine and Biology 39 (2012) 755

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Nuclear Medicine and Biology

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Obituary

Michael J. Welch PhD, 1939-2012

Michael J. Welch, Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicineprofessor, died onMay 6, 2012. Survivors include a son, ColinWelch ofNew Canaan, Conn.; a daughter, Lesley Tomlin of Kirkwood; fivegrandchildren; and his longtime companion, Mary (Mickey) Clarke of

St. Louis.

Mike was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, attended CambridgeUniversity for both bachelor and master degrees and obtained hisdoctorate at the University of London in 1965. Hemoved to BrookhavenNational Laboratory to accept a postdoctoral fellowship. As hisfellowship drew to a close in 1967, Mike had offers from universitychemistry departments but declined them to began his career inradiopharmaceutical chemistry at Washington University in 1967under thementorship ofMichel Ter-Pogossian, Ph.D. Hewas an integralpart of the team that developed positron emission tomography (PET).

His list of over 500 publications, his many scientific accomplish-ments, and several prestigious academic and industry awards are nodoubt impressive, but the deeper significance is that these publica-tions and accomplishments are the documentation of the numeroustraining programs that Mike directed over the years. This is hislasting legacy to the field. This legacy was in clear evidence by the

doi:10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2012.06.011

many former and present doctoral and post-doctoral students inattendance at the Memorial Service held at Washington Universityon June 4.

Mike was one of the founding members of the Society ofRadiopharmaceutical Chemistry, the first president of the Society ofRadiopharmaceutical Sciences, and President of the Society ofNuclear Medicine.

For a time, one of Mike's other major personal interests was thecompetitive breeding and showing of Norwegian elkhounds. Thehobby developed partially as a result of years of going to dog showswith his children. His long term interest was following the EnglishPremier League and his hometown team Stoke City. But his fivegrandchildren were always the focus of his attention.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Dr.Michael J. Welch Foundation at www.mjwelchfoundation.org. Thefoundation will support research training in nuclear medicine.

William EckelmanE-mail address: wceckelman@verizon.net