Dr. Amsterdam, Dental Medicine

Morton Amsterdam, professor emeritus of periodontics and periodontal prosthesis in Penn Dental Medicine’s department of periodontics and an internationally renowned dental educator and clinician, died June 27. He was 92.

“Few individuals have so profoundly influenced the science and practice of dental medicine,” said Denis Kinane, Penn Dental Medicine’s Morton Amsterdam Dean. “Dr. Amsterdam was an exceptional innovator, clinician and educator, who helped to establish a legacy of leadership for Penn periodontics and periodontal prosthesis and directly mentored many of today’s leaders in the field. He will be fondly remembered as an example of excellence in clinical dentistry.”

A 1945 graduate of Penn Dental Medicine and a 1943 alumnus of Penn’s College of Liberal Arts, Dr. Amsterdam first joined the Penn faculty in 1953, advancing through the ranks to professor of periodontics and periodontal prosthesis and serving in that position from 1967 through his retirement in 1992. Dr. Amsterdam served as chairman of the department of prosthetic dentistry within the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine from 1963 to 1967 and was director of Penn Dental Medicine’s Graduate Periodontics and Periodontal Prosthesis from 1969 through 1973. Throughout his career, he also held academic appointments at Temple University, Boston University, Harvard University and The Medical College of Pennsylvania.

“Dr. Amsterdam’s energies as a clinician, teacher and leader have left an eternal mark on the profession,” wrote D. Walter Cohen, professor emeritus of periodontics and a colleague of Dr. Amsterdam’s during his tenure at Penn Dental Medicine, in a 1977 tribute issue of The Alpha Omegan, the publication of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, which honored Dr. Amsterdam with its Achievement Medal that same year.

Penn Dental Medicine paid tribute to Dr. Amsterdam’s innumerable contributions to the School and periodontics with the naming of the D. Walter Cohen and Morton Amsterdam Periodontal Clinic in their honor, dedicated in 2008 (Almanac February 12, 2008). And in 2004, the deanship of Penn Dental Medicine was designated the Morton Amsterdam Deanship, endowed through a gift given by the late Hon. Walter H. Annenberg in honor of Dr. Amsterdam, a long-time friend of the Annenbergs. In addition, an endowed chair in periodontal prosthesis was established in Dr. Amsterdam’s honor at the Hebrew University School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, in 1973, where he also received the University’s Torch of Learning Award in 1973. 

Among his many other awards, Dr. Amsterdam received an honorary doctor of science from Dickinson College in 1974; the Thomas Evans Achievement Award from the Penn Dental Medicine Alumni Society in 1980; the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981 (Almanac April 21, 1981); the Jerome and Dorothy Schweitzer Research Award from The Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics in 1984; an honorary doctor of odontology from Goteborg University, Sweden, in 1988; and the Penn Alumni Award of Merit in 1997. He was also part of the International College of Dentists Major Contributions to Dentistry in the 20th Century Video Series for the Museum of Dental History in 1997 and was named Laureate for The William Thomas Green Morton National Award for the Advancement of General Dentistry in 2000 by the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry. In 2003, Dr. Amsterdam received the Master Clinician Award from the American Academy of Periodontology. And in 2013, he was honored as a luminary by Penn Dental Medicine’s department of periodontics.

Dr. Amsterdam established a successful private practice in Center City Philadelphia in 1947 and continued to maintain that as well throughout his academic career.

He is survived by his children, John, James, Joan and Jane; and ten grandchildren.

A scholarship fund named in his honor is being established at Penn Dental Medicine; contributions can be made to: The Morton Amsterdam Scholarship Fund, Penn Dental Medicine, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, 240 S. 40th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030.

A special tribute celebrating the life and work of Dr. Amsterdam will be held Monday, August 18, 6 p.m., as part of Penn Dental Medicine’s annual White Coat Ceremony at Penn’s Annenberg Center. Seating is limited; please RSVP to Lindsay Honzak, lhonzak@dental.upenn.edu, in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations by August 11.

Dr. Blumenthal, Wharton

Helene Elting Blumenthal, a former adjunct professor of management in the Wharton School, passed away May 26 at age 61.

Dr. Blumenthal was born and raised in New York before moving to Philadelphia in 1976.

She earned her PhD in English literature from Penn in 1982. Dr. Blumenthal taught at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges before teaching at Wharton from 1998 to 2010. Her classes included subjects on literature, gender & diversity and leadership.

Dr. Blumenthal is survived by her husband, Robert; and children, Seth and Lindsey.

Memorial donations may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center at 3535 Market St., ste. 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Dr. Bovée, Vet Medicine

Kenneth C. Bovée, professor emeritus of medicine in Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, passed away on May 23 at age 77.

Dr. Bovée was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a BSc and DVM in 1961 from Ohio State University. He joined the faculty of Penn’s  School of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor in 1964 and in 1969 completed a post doctoral fellowship and master of medical science degree in Penn’s Graduate School of Medicine. 

Dr. Bovée served the school and clinical department in many roles, including chief of the section of medicine for a total of 16 years, and as chairman of the department of clinical studies for six years. Dr. Bovée was chairman of the department during the construction of and move into the new small animal hospital (Ryan Veterinary Hospital) in 1981. He also served the University as a member of the Faculty Senate and of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee, and served for 10 years as the chair of the Graduate Group in Comparative Medical Sciences. In 1981 he was the first recipient of the Corinne R. and Henry Bower Chair and Professorship in Medicine. He was appointed to a secondary faculty position at Penn’s School of Social Work in 1985.

A charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine since 1972, Dr. Bovée served the Internal Medicine College in many ways, including chairing their examination committee for six years and as president in 1979-1980. His writings described original studies such as canine hereditary hypertension and chapters in textbooks in the field of veterinary urology. He also wrote a book, Canine Nephrology, published in 1984. Dr. Bovée was internationally recognized for his expertise in small animal urology and was awarded the Ralston Purina Small Animal Research Award in 1980.

He was a member of numerous veterinary and medical societies such as American Veterinary Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension, College of Physicians of Philadelphia and both the American and International Society of Nephrology.   

He became an emeritus professor in 1998.

Dr. Bovée is survived by his wife, Terry; and two sons, Brad (V’92) and Ben.

A memorial service is being planned for the last week in August in Deer Isle, Maine.

Contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 30 South 17th St., ste. 800, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Mr. Campbell, Former Comptroller

Kenneth B. Campbell, C’69, former comptroller and associate vice president for financial systems, passed away May 23 from complications of cancer; he was 66.

Returning to Penn in 1972 from service in the US Navy, Mr. Campbell, began his career as the assistant manager in the research accounting section of the Comptroller’s Office. He was appointed associate comptroller in 1983 and then comptroller in 1997 (Almanac January 14, 1997). In 2004, he was promoted to associate vice president for financial systems. He retired in 2005 (Almanac April 26, 2005).

During his time at Penn, Mr. Campbell was involved in several major initiatives, including having overall responsibility for the planning and installation of the new financial management information system at Penn,  called the Business Enterprise Network (BEN). 

Mr. Campbell is survived by his wife, Rosemary G. Campbell; children, Kevin M. Campbell; and his siblings, Ronald Campbell, Leslie Daniel, Stacy Webb and Stuart Campbell.

Donations may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Ms. Greenawalt, Former Trustee

Mary Ann Greenawalt, CW’62, an Alumni Trustee from 1995-1999, passed away May 25; she was 74.

Ms. Greenawalt was a member of the Facilities and Campus Planning, Development, Student Life and University Responsibility Committees. She was also a longtime Overseer and benefactor of the School of Social Policy & Practice.

Ms. Greenawalt was a founding member, one-time vice president and generous supporter of the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women and a member of the Executive Committee of the 125 Years of Women at Penn Celebration in 2001.

A recipient of the Alumni Award of Merit, she served as class president, vice president, reunion chair and gift chair. Under her leadership, the Class of 1962 received the Co-Class Award of Merit in 2002. She also was a volunteer and donor for the Penn Fund and served on many Penn alumni boards and councils, both national and regional. In 2007, Ms. Greenawalt was named an Honorary Friar by the Graduate Board of Friars.

After a 1978 auto accident left her a paraplegic, Ms. Greenawalt was also involved in many organizations that empowered women and the disabled. She retired from her sales career with the Xerox due to the lack of accessible facilities. She then launched B&B specialty foods, a wholesale broker of gourmet foods for which she received many awards.

Ms. Greenawalt is survived by her husband, Jon Sr., C’61, G’63; her children, Jon Jr., C’91, and Cynthia, W’87; grandchildren, Allegra Rose and Julian; and brother, David M. Baker.

Memorial donations may be made to United Cerebral Palsy of Detroit, 23077 Greenfield Rd., ste. 205, Southfield, MI 48075.

Dr. Noordergraaf, Bioengineering

Abraham (Bram) Noordergraaf, professor emeritus of bioengineering, in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, passed away May 24 at age 84.

Born in The Netherlands, Dr. Noordergraaf came to the University of Pennsylvania as a visiting fellow in 1957, was appointed to the faculty as an associate professor in 1964 and promoted to professor in 1970. He was a founding member of the bioengineering department and was its first chair (1973-1976). He also held an appointment in the School of Veterinary Medicine.   

Dr. Noordergraaf was well known for his work in cardiovascular dynamics. His research included such highlights as a quantitative theory on the origin of ballistocardiogram and the design and development of a special purpose circulatory analog computer. His mathematical studies had many applications, including in the treatment of hypertension, on vein collapse and in how to measure the efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He wrote widely, and his textbook Blood in Motion was a classic in cardiovascular science.

Dr. Noordergraaf earned his undergraduate degree in 1953, his master’s degree in 1955 and his PhD in physical basis of ballistocardiography in 1956, all from the University of Utrecht in The Netherlands.

Dr. Noordergraaf is survived by his daughters, Annemiek Young, Jeske Noordergraaf; sons, Gerrit Jan and Alexander Noordergraaf; and grandchildren, Maxwell and Marielle Young, Clay McCarthy, Alex and Brant Foster and Jeske, Tristan, Cyril, Danil and Vanya Noordergraaf.

Donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, 201 S. 21st St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or at www.fpcphila.org

Dr. Ramsden, SAMP

Elsa L. Ramsden, associate professor emerita of physical therapy in the now defunct School of Allied Medical Professions, passed away May 21 at age 78.

Born in Buffalo, New York and raised in Rochester, Dr. Ramsden attended the University of Buffalo and then transferred to Boston University, where she earned her BS in physical therapy. She then went on to earn an EdM and an EdD.

Dr. Ramsden was a pioneer in bringing the insights of social psychology to the practices of health care. She taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo, then at Indiana University Indianapolis Medical Campus, before joining the faculty in the School of Allied Medical Profession (SAMP) at the University of Pennsylvania in 1969. She was one of the pioneers for female faculty to achieve tenure, which was granted to her in 1973. When SAMP phased out in 1981, she remained at Penn, pursuing research in her field in conjunction with faculty in the medical and nursing schools and eventually taught in the Organizational Dynamics program.

An active member in the Penn community, Dr. Ramsden served as president of the Penn chapter of the American Association of University Professors and chair of the Benefits Committee of the Faculty Senate. She served as president of the University Club for over 10 years and then chaired the Burrison Gallery Advisory Committee.

Being a leader in her practice, Dr. Ramsden produced papers and convention talks and edited the book The Person as Patient.
After retiring from the University in 1995, Dr. Ramsden continued to teach in the Organizational Dynamics program and at Widener University.

Dr. Ramsden is survived by her husband, William; children, Richard, Ronald and Karin; grandchildren, Jason, Angela, Julia and Justin; and brother, Herbert J. Boedecker.

Donations may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, 14 North Eighth Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 or to The Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, DC 20090-6280.