In Memoriam (William Brand)
William N. Brand, MD ’62, former director of radiation oncology and a medical school faculty member for 35 years, died December 14 in Durango, Colorado, of complications from emphysema exacerbated by acute pneumonia. He was 72.
The native Chicagoan served as a physician assistant in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, then returned home to pursue collegiate studies. He earned his baccalaureate degree in zoology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1958 and his MD degree from Northwestern in 1962. Dr. Brand joined the medical school faculty in 1966 after completing radiology residency at Passavant Memorial Hospital.
He rose through the ranks to associate professor in 1974, the year he became director of the Division of Therapeutic Radiology, now known as radiation oncology. Dr. Brand led the division and its residency training program until 1991. During this time he also served as director of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Radiation Therapy Center, chief of therapeutic radiology at what was then Veterans Administration Research Hospital in Chicago, and consulting radiotherapist at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Brand remained on faculty at the medical school until September 1, 2001. Before relocating to Colorado, he helped build a radiation oncology department at Highland Park Hospital, where he was on staff until retirement.
Survivors include wife Donna, sons David and Chris, daughters Amy and Jenny, brother Kent, stepfather Larry Marciorri, and 10 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held January 20 beginning at 4 p.m. at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 330 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park, Illinois.