Dr. Fitzhugh C. Pannill, Jr.

Fitzhugh Carter Pannill Jr, MD, founding Dean of the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio, died June 30, 2012 in New Braunfels, Texas after a brief illness. After undergraduate education at Yale University (made easier he always said because of his mother's home schooling when the family lived in Venezuela) he graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1945. Trained in Internal Medicine in Houston, he joined the faculty of Baylor University Medical College in 1951. He next spent six intense but rewarding years in private practice, re-entering Academic Medicine in 1960. After positions in Philadelphia and Dallas, he was named Dean of the new University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio in 1965. Starting with few resources and an empty cow pasture, he recruited a faculty, students and staff to establish what was soon recognized as a world class medical institution, with innovative programs in Medicine, Physiology, Surgery, and community outreach, among other centers of excellence. Even as Dean, he continued his first professional love, teaching medical students and residents at patients' bedsides. In 1973 he was recruited to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he served as Vice President of Health Affairs, Acting Dean and Professor of Medicine. Although he retired in 1990, he continued teaching at the Maine Medical Center in Portland and the University of Vermont. A Master and Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the recipient of numerous awards and honors, he was always proudest of being recognized by the San Antonio students as "the foundation of their medical careers", and receiving the "White Coat Award" as best clinical teacher in Buffalo NY. A devoted fan of British naval fiction, he infected those around him with his love of books, dogs, and Texas history. Above all else, he showed his children and everyone who came in contact with him that a truly rich life is one full of love, humor and compassion, guided by doing for others rather than for oneself. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred Treat Pannill, their three children Fitzhugh Carter Pannill III MD, Elizabeth Candee Pannill DVM and Mary Pannill Gilroy, their spouses Kathy Ann Heard, Dennis Taylor and Chuck Gilroy, grandchildren Bryan Carter Pannill, Katherine Carter Pannill and Jessie Gilroy Stanco and two great grandchildren and his sister Lelia Pannill Birrell. A memorial service celebrating his life and good works will be held 2 PM on July 27, 2012 at the St Andrews Episcopal Church, 201 E. Nolte St, Seguin Texas 78155. In lieu of flowers send donations in support of medical student scholarships to the Dr F C Pannill Scholarship Fund, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, MC7835, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio Texas 78229.