Ralph Paffenbarger, Jr., 84, a pioneering epidemiologist who taught at HSPH in the 1960s-90s and remained an adjunct professor at the School until recently, passed away on July 9.
Professor Paffenbarger initiated the College Alumni Health Study, which includes Harvard College graduates. The study, together with separate work by Professor Jeremy Morris of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Health, first linked physical activity and exercise to lower risk of heart disease - prompting changes in federal health recommendations. The Alumni Study continues and is presently run by HSPH Associate Professor I-Min Lee.
Professor Paffenbarger held a joint academic appointment at Stanford and lived until recently in Berkeley, CA. He is survived by his wife Jo Ann (Schroeder) and by four children from his earlier marriage to Mary Dale Higdon, who died in 1988.
His family has announced that "A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Ralph Paffenbarger, Jr." will be held on Saturday, October 6, at 11 a.m. at the Stanford Faculty Club in Stanford, California. The family has said that memorial donations in his memory may be made to: Harvard School of Public Health, College Alumni Health Study, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, or to Stanford University, Department of Epidemiology, For Mental Health Research, c/o Gift Processing, 326 Galvez St., Stanford, CA, 94305-6105.
Copyright, 2007, President and Fellows of Harvard College
