The University Record, January 21, 1998
Isadore A. Bernstein
Isadore A. Bernstein, professor emeritus of biological chemistry and environmental and industrial health, died of cancer Jan. 11. He was 78.
Internationally known for his work in environmental toxicology and cutaneous biochemistry, Bernstein won numerous honors throughout his career for his research in dermatology.
“Isadore Bernstein was regarded as one of the finest scholars in his field,” says Noreen M. Clark, dean of the School of Public Health. “He was also an outstanding teacher. Among his great achievements was the nurturing and encouragement of young minds.”
Bernstein was born Dec. 23, 1919, in Clarksburg, W.Va., and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University in 1941. He served as lieutenant and captain in the armed forces in the North Pacific during World War II.
After receiving his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Western Reserve University in 1952, he joined the U-M faculty in 1953 and held appointments in the School of Public Health and Medical School until his retirement in 1990.
He is survived by his wife, Claire, of Ann Arbor; two daughters, Lynne (David Dull) and Amy (Ken Colton); and two grandchildren, Andrew and Joshua Colton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bernstein Fund at the School of Public Health, the Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Jewish Community Center (Bernstein Infant/Toddler Playground) or the charity of one’s choice.
Louise Cuyler
Louise Cuyler, professor emeritus of music, died in Carmel, Calif., Jan. 3 at age 92.
Cuyler joined the faculty in 1929 and retired in 1975. She chaired the Department of Musicology in 195570. During the past 20 years, she had been active with the Monterey County Symphony, which she served for 12 years as a member of the board of directors and as the program annotator for 20 years.
She studied violin at the Eastman School of Music, from which she held a B. Mus. She received an M. Mus. in music theory from the U-M and a Ph.D. in musicology from Eastman. She was a member of the American Red Cross during World War II, serving in New Caledonia.
“Louise Cuyler played a significant role in the evolvement of the academic programs within the School of Music,” said Dean Paul C. Boylan. “First establishing the Department of Music Theory, she later chaired the Department of Musicology, which has become one of the pre-eminent programs in the country. She also was an important influence in the development of the American Musicological Society. However, her greatest impact was that of a teacher,” Boylan added. “Her classes were challenging, stimulating and often entertaining. Her doctoral students continue her legacy of scholarship and teaching at institutions throughout the United States.”
Cuyler was a member-at-large of the American Musicological Society for 20 years and served as national secretary for an unprecedented eight terms (195571). She was the author of a number of articles and books, including The Symphony, Maximilian I and Music, an edition of Heinrich Isaac’s Choralis Constantinus and an edition of Isaac’s Five Polyphonic Masses.
On her retirement in 1975, the Regents noted: “So outstanding were her abilities as a teacher, as a director of doctoral dissertations and as a productive scholar that she truly became a legend to generations of students in the School of Music. Her versatility, intuitive musicianship, lively mind and pungent analytical skill came into particular focus in guiding the maturing scholar and attracted to this University students of outstanding ability who now occupy positions as musicologists in institutions of higher learning all over the United States.”
Cuyler was born March 14, 1905, in Omaha, Neb. She is survived by one niece and two nephews.
The Monterey County Symphony will name its present collection of orchestral scores and reference materials “The Louise Cuyler Music Library,” and will add her personal scores and books to the collection. It also will establish a fund to help purchase scores for the library. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cuyler Music Library, Monterey County Symphony, P.O. Box 3965, Carmel, CA 93921.
Submitted by the School of Music
David V. Heebink
David V. Heebink, former assistant to the president, died Jan. 10 in Los Altos, Calif., following a long illness. He was 69.
Heebink joined the U-M in 1969 as assistant vice president for state relations. Prior to that he was a member of the Stanford University faculty and an associate dean in the School of Engineering. He also administered the science planning and policy program in the Office of Planning and Policy Studies of the National Science Foundation for two years.
In 1973 he was named assistant to the president at the U-M, serving as a liaison with the federal government on research matters.
Heebink was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Brookings, S.Dak., and grew up in Morgantown, W.Va. He held a B.S. in engineering from West Virginia University, an M.S. from Carnegie-Mellon University and Ph.D. from Stanford.
He was an elected trustee of Washtenaw Community College in 1971-76. He returned to California in 1986, where he continued to work for the U-M in semi-retirement and was involved in the Los Altos Community Foundation.
Heebink is survived by his wife, Harriet; daughter, Jennifer of Los Altos; and sons, John and Chris, of San Francisco.
Submitted by the family.
Richard J. Porter
Richard J. Porter, professor emeritus of protozoology, died Dec. 18 at age 84. At the time of his retirement in 1978 he had the distinction of having served longer on the School of Public Health faculty than any other person.
Porter held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He joined the U-M in 1941 as an instructor in epidemiology and rose through the ranks to full professor in 1954. His research focused on malarial eradication and antibody formation, and he taught courses in parasitology and tropical diseases.
He also served as assistant dean for curriculum, in 1970-76. “Dr. Porter had always been an imaginative and effective teacher, and he had extended his influence beyond his own classrooms by serving as a member or chairman of committees responsible for various phases of the School’s curriculum,” the Regents said of that appointment when he retired.
Porter also made significant contributions to the School and University through service on various committees. He was a member of the editorial board of the American Society of Parasitologists and served on various committees of the National Research Council, and was a member of the Commission on Enteric Infections of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board.
Porter was the founder of the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club Rockettes, and was considered a pioneer of the concept of amateur precision team skating. He enjoyed the outdoors and writing, and authored several articles about his experiences for Michigan Out-of-Doorsmagazine.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel (“Pat”) Kelly Porter; children Richard J. Porter Jr. and Teresa McCauley of Claremont, Calif., Anne W. and M. Scott Moore of Holland, Mich., Susan W. Turner of Columbus, Ohio, Robert H. and Susan Porter of East Grand Rapids, James and Christie Porter of Valparaiso, Ind. and R. Steven Tilley of Schreveport, La.; and two grandchildren.
From Muehlig Funeral Chapel and archival files
