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Norman A. Bergman ’49

Norman Bergman ’49, of cancer, November 14, 1999, in Portland. He earned an MD in 1951 from the University of Oregon Medical School, now Oregon Health Sciences University, interned at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, and completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, specializing in anesthesiology. His career in medicine focused on anesthesia research and on education. In 1958, he joined the staff of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, where he was chief of anesthesia, and he was also on the faculty of the University of Utah College of Medicine. His research focused on investigating pulmonary gas exchange in the lungs during anesthesia. In 1963-64, he spent a year at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, in the research department of anesthetics. In 1970, he was appointed the first professor of anesthesia at the University of Utah. Shortly thereafter, he left that position to take a post as chairman, department of anesthesia, Oregon Health Sciences University, a position he held until 1981. He remained on the staff at OHSU until 1989, and was also on the staff of the Shriners Children’s Hospital. During his career, he was a visiting professor at various universities in the U.S. and Europe, an associate examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiologists, and a reference editor for several journals. He developed an interest in the history of anesthesiology, and in 1998 published a book, The Genesis of Surgical Anesthesia. He published more than 80 articles, both scientific and historical, in his field. His other interests included bicycling, classical music, and astronomy. Survivors include his wife of 48 years; a son, a daughter, five grandchildren, and several cousins, including Elihu Bergman ’50 and Abraham Bergman ’54. The family suggests remembrances to Reed College.

Appeared in Reed magazine: May 2000

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