Former Professor, Edward Jozef Kaminski Passes Away
Edward Jozef Kaminski, professor emeritus of pathology at the Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern University Dental School died peacefully October 6, after a long illness. He was 83 years old. Born in Torun (Thorn), Poland, he immigrated to Scotland after World War II, where he learned English, as noted in his wonderful Polish-Scottish brogue. He was granted an “Associateship” degree from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Edinburgh in 1951 and later from the University of London, 1953, where he worked in the Royal Cancer Hospital. He immigrated to Canada and worked as a pathologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto, 1953â1956.
Relocating to the United States, he became a U.S. citizen, working as a research technician in pathology at Northwestern University where he earned a PhB in chemistry in 1960; then as a teaching assistant in the University College, he earned a PhD in chemistry in 1964. Rising through the academic ranks, he became professor of pathology at Northwestern University in 1979.
Dr. Kaminski was a popular lecturer and his class on nutrition was particularly well received. He served as graduate research advisor and thesis director to over 50 master’s theses.
He served on many committees at Northwestern University’s dental and medical schools and in the University at large, as well as in his professional pursuits in toxicology.
Dr. Kaminski was a member of many professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, American Society for Testing Materials and Society of Toxicology. He also served as consultant to industrial and professional organizations. His honors include Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Sigma Xi and recognition by the publication, American Men and Women of Science.
He was active in his community as an advisor in mathematics and science for the Niles Township High Schools and a school board member of District 219.
He married Krystyna Karpinski in 1951, who survives him and his children, Norbert and his wife Beth; Yvonne and her husband, Peter Jarosz; and beloved grandchildren, Kathryn, Nicole, Stephanie and Alyssa. Dr. Kaminski was proud that he had been baptized in the same font as MikoÅaj Kopernik, known to us as Nicolaus Copernicus, also a native of Torun.