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Borden S. Veeder
THE JOURNAL OF
PEDIATRICS FEBRUARY
1960
Volume 56 Number 2
Borden S Veeder
M A N Y 2r E N h a v e
made
contributions
culminated in the chairmanship of the St. Louis Chapter of the Red Cross during World W a r II. His independence and vision in this position gained recognition outside the local area. Child health at home and abroad claimed his interest from his earliest days in medicine. He was active in the Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality and its expansion into the Child Health Association, which later merged with tile Child Health Organization to form the American Child Health Association. During World War I he served in France with the Red Cross in work for children. He was an active member of the American Pediatric Society and a founding and influential member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He served as President of both organizations. When the Academy severed its connection with the JOURNAL, Borden took over the editorship to continue its publication as an independent organ. With the assistance of an Editorial Board chosen by him and guided by his keenly critical mind it has become one of the outstanding specialty journals in this country.
in
the areas of their special interests--few men have made contributions in so m a n y different fields as Borden Veeder. It would be hard to name any sphere of medical activity in which he has not at some time had an active and vital share. Directly after graduation from medical school Borden devoted himself to .the laboratory in Philadelphia and St. Louis. When further work along these lines involved moving to Baltimore he chose to remain in St. Louis. He entered actively into private pediatric practice a n d occupied a commanding position among the pediatricians of this country until his retirement. During these busy years he also taught at Washington University, and many men in practice owe much to him for his wise instruction. To a remarkable degree he has kept his interest in and contacts with the young men in Pediatrics and they turn to him constantly for advice and companionship. The St. Louis community soon appreciated his sterling qualities and called upon him to lead in m a n y activities, especially in work for children. This phase of his work 137
13 8
February 1960
Smith
It has made a particular contribution in bringing to the general practitioner the 'best of modern procedures in pediatric diagnosis and treatment. He was a member of the first American Board of Pediatrics and continued to serve on it for many years. He had much to do with establishing the policies and procedures. He was a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and aided greatly in securing the admission of pediatric questions in the general examination. He was chairman for a time of both Boards. He was a member of the Committee of Physicians for the Improvement of Medical Care--being willing to stand up and be counted for a more progressive attitude by the medical profession toward economic matters when such a position was far from popular. He never lacked courage to take a stand in any matter when he felt that the cause was' good. These are only a few of the places where Borden Veeder's influence has been felt. None of them nor the sum of them can tell what he has done for Pediatrics or, more important, for individuals--parents, students, confreres, and friends.
It is not enough to speak of Borden's public life. One thinks of his love of the out of doors--vacations spent with rod and g u n and happy days on the golf course; of his fondness for good literature and a spicy detective story; of his quite extensive library with not a few rare volumes and Of his appreciation and knowledge of music. When he married relatively late he not only enriched his own life but gave to his friends the opportunity to know Vera---whom they promptly came to respect and love. TO those who have been fortunate in knowing Borden well his great capacity for friendship and his unfailing integrity in thought and word and deed are among the cherished blessings of this life. Borden has retired from practice, from teaching, from official association with medical groups, from community responsibilities, and just now from the editorship of the JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS. One cannot think of him as being idle. One may be sure that as Elder Statesman he will continue to exert a mellow, mature, and selfless influence on people and causes as he has done so effectively for many years. RICHARD
M.
SMITI-I~ M.D.
PEDIATRICS FEBRUARY
1960
Volume 56 Number 2
Borden S Veeder
M A N Y 2r E N h a v e
made
contributions
culminated in the chairmanship of the St. Louis Chapter of the Red Cross during World W a r II. His independence and vision in this position gained recognition outside the local area. Child health at home and abroad claimed his interest from his earliest days in medicine. He was active in the Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality and its expansion into the Child Health Association, which later merged with tile Child Health Organization to form the American Child Health Association. During World War I he served in France with the Red Cross in work for children. He was an active member of the American Pediatric Society and a founding and influential member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He served as President of both organizations. When the Academy severed its connection with the JOURNAL, Borden took over the editorship to continue its publication as an independent organ. With the assistance of an Editorial Board chosen by him and guided by his keenly critical mind it has become one of the outstanding specialty journals in this country.
in
the areas of their special interests--few men have made contributions in so m a n y different fields as Borden Veeder. It would be hard to name any sphere of medical activity in which he has not at some time had an active and vital share. Directly after graduation from medical school Borden devoted himself to .the laboratory in Philadelphia and St. Louis. When further work along these lines involved moving to Baltimore he chose to remain in St. Louis. He entered actively into private pediatric practice a n d occupied a commanding position among the pediatricians of this country until his retirement. During these busy years he also taught at Washington University, and many men in practice owe much to him for his wise instruction. To a remarkable degree he has kept his interest in and contacts with the young men in Pediatrics and they turn to him constantly for advice and companionship. The St. Louis community soon appreciated his sterling qualities and called upon him to lead in m a n y activities, especially in work for children. This phase of his work 137
13 8
February 1960
Smith
It has made a particular contribution in bringing to the general practitioner the 'best of modern procedures in pediatric diagnosis and treatment. He was a member of the first American Board of Pediatrics and continued to serve on it for many years. He had much to do with establishing the policies and procedures. He was a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and aided greatly in securing the admission of pediatric questions in the general examination. He was chairman for a time of both Boards. He was a member of the Committee of Physicians for the Improvement of Medical Care--being willing to stand up and be counted for a more progressive attitude by the medical profession toward economic matters when such a position was far from popular. He never lacked courage to take a stand in any matter when he felt that the cause was' good. These are only a few of the places where Borden Veeder's influence has been felt. None of them nor the sum of them can tell what he has done for Pediatrics or, more important, for individuals--parents, students, confreres, and friends.
It is not enough to speak of Borden's public life. One thinks of his love of the out of doors--vacations spent with rod and g u n and happy days on the golf course; of his fondness for good literature and a spicy detective story; of his quite extensive library with not a few rare volumes and Of his appreciation and knowledge of music. When he married relatively late he not only enriched his own life but gave to his friends the opportunity to know Vera---whom they promptly came to respect and love. TO those who have been fortunate in knowing Borden well his great capacity for friendship and his unfailing integrity in thought and word and deed are among the cherished blessings of this life. Borden has retired from practice, from teaching, from official association with medical groups, from community responsibilities, and just now from the editorship of the JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS. One cannot think of him as being idle. One may be sure that as Elder Statesman he will continue to exert a mellow, mature, and selfless influence on people and causes as he has done so effectively for many years. RICHARD
M.
SMITI-I~ M.D.