In Memoriam (Charles Kramer, Robert Norman, Warren Wells, Harold Visotsky)
Charles H. Kramer, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and a leader in family therapy, died April 30 at age 79. Dr. Kramer earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Illinois, established a private practice in suburban Chicago for several years, and served at the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. While serving there he volunteered to do psychiatric work, and his passion for the field began. Dr. Kramer founded the Family Institute in 1968 and was its director until 1987; in the mid-1970s the institute became affiliated with Northwestern. In addition to counseling couples and families, Dr. Kramer taught and contributed to the psychiatric literature. Dr. Kramer retired in 1994 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Jan; their six children, three of whom also are psychotherapists; a sister; and several grandchildren.
Robert S. Norman, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine, died May 26 at age 76. A Missouri native and World War II veteran, he earned his MD degree from the University of Illinois in 1953 and joined the staff of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1957, specializing in cardiology. Dr. Norman’s career spanned nearly five decades, and he continued making house calls into his seventies. An Evanston resident, Dr. Norman retired in 2000 but made himself available to long-time patients for consultations and home visits. Dr. Norman is survived by three sons; a sister and brother; and three grandchildren.
Warren F. Wells, PhD, associate professor emeritus of cell and molecular biology, died May 14 at age 75. Holding appointments at both Northwestern’s medical and dental schools, Dr. Wells began his career as a high school science instructor. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. His PhD degree in biochemistry was granted by the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1959, the same year he joined the Northwestern faculty as instructor in biochemistry and research associate in neurology and in psychiatry and behavioral sciences. He moved up the ranks to assistant professor of biochemistry in 1962 and to associate professor in 1970. A fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and a tenor soloist with a local performing group, the Deerfield, Illinois, resident retired in 1991. He is survived by three children.
Harold M. Visotsky, MD, professor emeritus and former chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciencies, died June 16 at age 78. A native of Chicago, Dr. Visotsky received a BS degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and an MD degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed his internship at Cincinnati General Hospital and residency in psychiatry at the University of Illinois. A world-renowned psychiatrist who held numerous leadership positions and received many honors, Dr. Visotsky began his career working for the State of Illinois Department of Mental Health and served as its director from 1963â69. He joined Northwestern in 1969 as the Owen L. Coon Professor and chair of psychiatry at the medical school and director of the Stone Institute of Psychiatry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Survivors include wife Gladys; son Jeffrey, MD ’84, GME ’89; daughter Robin; and two grandchildren.