Jonathan Black, a former professor of orthopedic surgery at Penn’s School of Medicine, died on December 5, 2020 at Meadowood Senior Living in Worcester, PA. He was 81.

Born in London, England, Dr. Black moved with his family to Ithaca, NY, where he graduated from Ithaca High School in 1957. He earned a BS in Physics from Cornell University, an ME in Engineering Science from Penn State University, and a PhD in Materials Science from Penn’s School of Engineering. Dr. Black joined the faculty of Penn’s School of Medicine in 1970 as an associate in orthopedic surgical research. In 1972, he was promoted to assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, and in 1976 he became an associate professor of research in orthopedic surgery. In 1977, Dr. Black was one of five professors named to the faculty of HUP’s new Center for Sports Medicine (Almanac July 27, 1978). In the 1980s, Dr. Black became the Chief of Biomaterials in the department of Orthopedic Surgery. In the latter part of the decade, he conducted research with Paul Ducheyne, co-director of the Center for Joint Reconstruction, on reliable joint implants. He also served on the University Council Bookstore Committee and wrote several Speaking Out letters for publication in Almanac, on subjects such as confidentiality of recommendation letters (Almanac November 18, 1986) and the overabundance of parking lots on campus (Almanac October 27, 1987).

In 1988, Dr. Black left Penn to become the Hunter Chair of Biomaterials at Clemson University. Five years later, he left Clemson to become an independent consultant in biomaterials science and engineering, which he remained for the rest of his life. He also served as an adjunct professor of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University from 2011 to 2015. Dr. Black published many scholarly articles and several books, including the influential Biological Performance of Materials. He was a founding member and past president of the Society for Biomaterials and was one of the Society’s charter Fellows of Biomaterials Science and Engineering.

The memorial service will be private. Dr. Black is survived by his wife, Toni Louise (née Rogers); his children, Matthew, Christina (Harold), and David (Kathryn); and two grandchildren.