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William E. Connor (1921-2009)—Honorary ADA Member
from the association
OBITUARY
William E. Connor (1921-2009)—Honorary ADA Member
A
DA Honorary member William E. Connor, MD, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2009, in Portland, OR. Dr Connor earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and served on the faculty there from 1958-1975. He moved to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR, in 1975 as a professor in the Department of Medicine and also served as associate director of the Clinical Research Center. After 1992 he joined the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition. Dr Connor published nearly 400 articles. In collaboration with colleagues, he made a number of links between nutrition and disease that were at the time controversial but which have since become widely accepted. He demonstrated that a diet rich in egg yolk could increase blood cholesterol and that diabetics could eat a low-fat diet high in fiber-rich carbohydrate and still control their blood glucose levels. In 1974, he discovered a new genetic disorder (sitosterolemia) that rapidly promotes atherosclerosis. He also focused research on how n-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, might prevent sudden death from heart attacks. His work led directly to recommendations that people with heart disease should eat fish twice a week. He also demonstrated that n-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients in monkeys and human infants—research that impacted the composition of infant formulas. The Oregon “Family Heart Study,” conducted between 1978 and 1984, showed that conventional families could successfully decrease fat consumption from the typical 40% of calories to 30%. Recipes and nutrition education for this study led to the popular cookbook The New American Diet. Other books that followed were The New American Diet System and The New American Diet Cookbook. More recently, Dr Connor turned his attention to studying the relationship between lutein and macular degeneration and showed that eating 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruits daily increased the amount of lutein in the blood and in breast milk. On October 23, 1989, Dr Connor was awarded Honorary ADA membership, which recognizes outstanding leadership
0002-8223/09/10912-0015$36.00/0 doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.11.005
2106
William E. Connor, MD and significant contributions to ADA and to the advancement of the dietetics profession. It is the highest honor ADA offers to individuals who are not Association members. The highlights from the citation for his honorary membership include: “[H]is pioneering contributions to nutrition research in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, atherosclerosis, and the metabolism and essentiality of omega-3 fatty acids; . . . his energetic advocacy of dietary change as one of the most effective and practical means available to reduce chronic diseases in Western countries; . . . his active role in providing guidance to dietitians, in expecting excellence, and in encouraging their creativity; . . . [and] his support of the important role for dietetics in clinical practice, of dietetic internship programs, and of nutrition education for physicians. . . .” Dr Connor’s wife Sonja Connor, MS, RD, LD, current ADA Nominating Committee Chair and past Speaker of the House of Delegates, worked alongside him on diet and nutrition studies. Together they developed an international reputation for research into how diet change can reverse high blood cholesterol levels. The cookbooks, rich in information on nutrition and food, pioneered a philosophy of eating to maximally protect against heart disease.
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
In addition to his commitment to academic medicine, Dr Connor was well known for championing social issues, including racial equality, the peace movement, repeal of the death penalty, increasing minimum wage, and improving early childhood development. For many years he volunteered monthly at a free medical clinic along with his son Rodney, also a physician. “Dr Connor’s contribution to nutrition science was inestimable. We all have been influenced by his great science and his super understanding of the role of nutrition in life. His commitment to social justice was unsurpassed and inspiring.”—Nancy Becker, MS, RD, LD “Dr Connor had a unique mix of curiosity and persistence. He was interested in everything related to nutrition, including lipid metabolism, preventive health, essential nutrients, good food, and gardening. We are all enriched by his astute mind and careful scientific work that has spread throughout nutrition and medical communities around the world.”—Martha McMurry, MS, RD, LD “I loved learning from Dr Connor. He once told me that, ‘Shakespeare wrote King Lear without using any abbreviations. So surely I could rewrite this abstract so that readers could understand the story without having to refer to a footnote!’ I chuckle every time I pass this sage advice along to a graduate student.” —Diane Stadler, PhD, RD, LD “I was so lucky to have my first employer out of my internship be Dr Connor. He was a wonderful mentor, as he provided guidance while expecting the best. I’ll never forget my first day of work going on rounds with the team and being quizzed about lipid metabolism by Dr Connor. My professional aim to achieve my best was instilled and modeled by him.” —Susan L. Roberts, JD, MS, RD “The American Dietetic Association and the ADA members who were his colleagues and friends will miss his contributions to the field of dietetics and nutrition and his warm and generous spirit of collegiality.”—Jessie Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD, 2009-2010 President, American Dietetic Association Memorial contributions may be made in support of the Graduate Program in Human Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University. Gifts may be mailed directly to the OHSU Foundation at 1121 SW Salmon #100, Portland, OR 97205. Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Dr Connor and is intended to support the Graduate Program in Human Nutrition.
© 2009 by the American Dietetic Association
OBITUARY
William E. Connor (1921-2009)—Honorary ADA Member
A
DA Honorary member William E. Connor, MD, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2009, in Portland, OR. Dr Connor earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and served on the faculty there from 1958-1975. He moved to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR, in 1975 as a professor in the Department of Medicine and also served as associate director of the Clinical Research Center. After 1992 he joined the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition. Dr Connor published nearly 400 articles. In collaboration with colleagues, he made a number of links between nutrition and disease that were at the time controversial but which have since become widely accepted. He demonstrated that a diet rich in egg yolk could increase blood cholesterol and that diabetics could eat a low-fat diet high in fiber-rich carbohydrate and still control their blood glucose levels. In 1974, he discovered a new genetic disorder (sitosterolemia) that rapidly promotes atherosclerosis. He also focused research on how n-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, might prevent sudden death from heart attacks. His work led directly to recommendations that people with heart disease should eat fish twice a week. He also demonstrated that n-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients in monkeys and human infants—research that impacted the composition of infant formulas. The Oregon “Family Heart Study,” conducted between 1978 and 1984, showed that conventional families could successfully decrease fat consumption from the typical 40% of calories to 30%. Recipes and nutrition education for this study led to the popular cookbook The New American Diet. Other books that followed were The New American Diet System and The New American Diet Cookbook. More recently, Dr Connor turned his attention to studying the relationship between lutein and macular degeneration and showed that eating 5 to 9 servings of vegetables and fruits daily increased the amount of lutein in the blood and in breast milk. On October 23, 1989, Dr Connor was awarded Honorary ADA membership, which recognizes outstanding leadership
0002-8223/09/10912-0015$36.00/0 doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.11.005
2106
William E. Connor, MD and significant contributions to ADA and to the advancement of the dietetics profession. It is the highest honor ADA offers to individuals who are not Association members. The highlights from the citation for his honorary membership include: “[H]is pioneering contributions to nutrition research in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, atherosclerosis, and the metabolism and essentiality of omega-3 fatty acids; . . . his energetic advocacy of dietary change as one of the most effective and practical means available to reduce chronic diseases in Western countries; . . . his active role in providing guidance to dietitians, in expecting excellence, and in encouraging their creativity; . . . [and] his support of the important role for dietetics in clinical practice, of dietetic internship programs, and of nutrition education for physicians. . . .” Dr Connor’s wife Sonja Connor, MS, RD, LD, current ADA Nominating Committee Chair and past Speaker of the House of Delegates, worked alongside him on diet and nutrition studies. Together they developed an international reputation for research into how diet change can reverse high blood cholesterol levels. The cookbooks, rich in information on nutrition and food, pioneered a philosophy of eating to maximally protect against heart disease.
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
In addition to his commitment to academic medicine, Dr Connor was well known for championing social issues, including racial equality, the peace movement, repeal of the death penalty, increasing minimum wage, and improving early childhood development. For many years he volunteered monthly at a free medical clinic along with his son Rodney, also a physician. “Dr Connor’s contribution to nutrition science was inestimable. We all have been influenced by his great science and his super understanding of the role of nutrition in life. His commitment to social justice was unsurpassed and inspiring.”—Nancy Becker, MS, RD, LD “Dr Connor had a unique mix of curiosity and persistence. He was interested in everything related to nutrition, including lipid metabolism, preventive health, essential nutrients, good food, and gardening. We are all enriched by his astute mind and careful scientific work that has spread throughout nutrition and medical communities around the world.”—Martha McMurry, MS, RD, LD “I loved learning from Dr Connor. He once told me that, ‘Shakespeare wrote King Lear without using any abbreviations. So surely I could rewrite this abstract so that readers could understand the story without having to refer to a footnote!’ I chuckle every time I pass this sage advice along to a graduate student.” —Diane Stadler, PhD, RD, LD “I was so lucky to have my first employer out of my internship be Dr Connor. He was a wonderful mentor, as he provided guidance while expecting the best. I’ll never forget my first day of work going on rounds with the team and being quizzed about lipid metabolism by Dr Connor. My professional aim to achieve my best was instilled and modeled by him.” —Susan L. Roberts, JD, MS, RD “The American Dietetic Association and the ADA members who were his colleagues and friends will miss his contributions to the field of dietetics and nutrition and his warm and generous spirit of collegiality.”—Jessie Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD, 2009-2010 President, American Dietetic Association Memorial contributions may be made in support of the Graduate Program in Human Nutrition at Oregon Health & Science University. Gifts may be mailed directly to the OHSU Foundation at 1121 SW Salmon #100, Portland, OR 97205. Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Dr Connor and is intended to support the Graduate Program in Human Nutrition.
© 2009 by the American Dietetic Association