Thomas V. Dunwiddie (1951–2001)

Abstract

The neuropharmacology community has suffered a tremendous loss with the untimely death of Tom Dunwiddie (Fig. 1Fig. 1) on 12 July 2001. Tom died in an accident while pursuing his lifelong passion for rock climbing at Middle Cathedral Rock in Yosemite National Park, CA, USA.Fig. 1Tom Dunwiddie during his last climbing expedition.View Large Image | Download PowerPoint SlideTom was a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and the Program in Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) in Denver. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and received his PhD in Psychobiology from the University of California at Irvine in 1977. He then joined the Department of Pharmacology at the UCHSC, where he spent the rest of his professional career. He was promoted to full Professor in 1990 and had been a Research Career Scientist at the VA since 1994.Tom was a dedicated and accomplished scientist, internationally recognized for his work on the modulation of synaptic transmission by adenosine, alcohol and nicotine. In all these areas he made significant and lasting contributions. He ran a highly productive research laboratory, which was well set for important work during the next several years, and he was a familiar face at national and international scientific meetings, symposia and review committees. Tom made important contributions to both pharmacology and neuroscience, and yet was always available to his many students, friends and colleagues who needed his time and sage advice. He had an uncommon belief in the abilities of his fellow humans. His accumulated wisdom, knowledge and expertise will be sorely missed, not least by his many national and international friends and collaborators.Those of us who knew Tom will also miss his tremendous enthusiasm for life, his infectious grin and positive attitude, and his deep love and respect for both science and his fellow scientists. Tom was an outstanding scientist, an avid outdoorsman, a valued colleague and a good friend. There was never a slow moment in Tom's life. His absence leaves a void in our community, and in our hearts, that will linger for a long time.Tom is survived by his wife Nancy Zahniser, in addition to his family and his many friends, students, postdoctoral fellows and colleagues. A memorial service was held in Denver on 27 July 2001.The UCHSC is establishing a graduate student fund in Tom's honor, and appropriately designated cheques made out to ‘UCHSC’ can be sent to The Dunwiddie Fellowship Fund, c/o Boris Tabakoff, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Box C236, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262, USA.On behalf of many of Tom's friends.