To share comments and memories about Dr. McKusick’s life, work, vision, and influence, email memory@geneticalliance.org.

The world lost a friend, mentor, and giant in the field of medical genetics with the passing of Victor McKusick this month. Fondly known as the “Father of Medical Genetics” for his seminal work founding and defining the field, he succumbed to cancer on July 22^nd.

From the Maine dairy farm of his birth, Dr. McKusick went on become a pioneer in medical genetics, eventually founding the Division of Medical Genetics at Johns Hopkins University. His deep interest in inherited disorders led him to study and establish specialty clinics for connective tissue conditions and skeletal disorders. His internationally respected Mendelian Inheritance in Man, first published in the mid-60s and continually updated, catalogues all known genetic conditions. Now available in electronic form, it is possibly the first open source genetics resource used by clinicians throughout the world.

Genetic Alliance founder Joan Weiss calls him her inspiration for starting the organization. “His colleagues know him for his brilliance and tremendous detective skills and his pioneering efforts in medical genetics, but working with him for 20 years, I really got to know him—caring, sensitive, a bit shy, terribly honest and forthright.” He was convinced that families seeing him in the clinic would get more from each other than from their visits with him. Dr. McKusick’s encouragement was vital to Ms. Weiss when a national organization was just a gleam in her eye. With his support, she founded the Alliance of Genetic Support Groups in 1986.

We all join in celebrating the life of this gifted, caring, and questing physician geneticist.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues.