In Memoriam: Edward W. Bermes, Jr., PhD, FAACC (1932-2021).

Abstract

Dr. Edward W. Bermes, Jr., PhD, FAACC, passed away peacefully at home on February 16, 2021, following a long-term illness. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 20, 1932. He received his BS in Chemistry from St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN, followed by a MS and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Loyola University of Chicago (LUC). In 1958, he was appointed Chief Biochemist at Cook County Hospital. On receiving his doctoral degree in 1959, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in LUC’s Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM). During the 1960s, he served as Director of Biochemistry at St. Francis and West Suburban hospitals. In 1969, he was promoted to Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Pathology. Also at that time, he led the creation of a laboratory for a hospital opening on LUC’s new medical center campus (LUMC) in Maywood, IL. By then, Dr. Bermes had become an excellent teacher and welcomed more teaching opportunities. At St. Francis Hospital, he had developed a predoctoral clinical biochemistry program. He codirected it with Dr. Hugh McDonald, Chair of LUC’s Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dr. McDonald was also a charter member and Past-President of AACC (1954). It was challenging to find sites to provide clinical experience for predoctoral trainees until the opening of LUMC, which also became the location for creation of a postdoctoral fellowship program in clinical chemistry. Initially funded through a NIH grant, the postdoctoral program was approved by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry in 1972. Dr. Bermes’ devotion to postdoctoral training led to his serving on the Commission on the Accreditation of Clinical Chemistry Training Programs Board of Directors, and as its president for 8 years. During his career, he trained thousands of students of medicine, graduate schools, medical technology, and clinical laboratory science as well as residents and fellows in pathology, clinical chemistry, and other disciplines. In 1983, his dedication to teaching was recognized with his receiving AACC’s Award for Outstanding Contributions in Education and Training.