The Department of Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, sadly reports the death of John D. (Jack) Michenfelder, M.D., at his home in Oronoco, Minnesota, on Sunday, May 2, 2004. He was 73. Dr. Michenfelder was an outstanding clinician and distinguished researcher who was awarded every major ASA honor as well as many international accolades during his career.

John D. (Jack) Michenfelder, M.D., in 1989.

Dr. Michenfelder was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 13, 1931. He graduated from medical school at St. Louis University in 1955. After his internship and a portion of a residency program in internal medicine at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, he was called to military duty in the Navy for two years. In 1958 he ventured to Rochester, Minnesota, to begin residency training in anesthesiology. He joined Mayo Clinic as a faculty consultant in 1961, working full time in neurosurgical anesthesiology. In 1964 he received funding to pursue his research interests in cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Two National Institutes of Health grants that ran from 1966 to 1993 supported this activity. He served as the chair of Mayo’s Division of Neuroanesthesia and also its Saint Mary’s Hospital Anesthesia Division for more than a decade. He retired from clinical practice and research in 1993.

Dr. Michenfelder is arguably best known for two unique contributions to anesthesiology: 1) he was a pioneer in anesthesia for neurosurgery, and 2) he served as Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesiology from 1979-85. Between 1979 and 1994, he was on the editorial board of seven other journals. He authored 190 scientific publications, including two books. Other honors that he received included election to F.F.A.R.C.S., Ireland (1982) and F.F.A.R.C.S., England (1988); presentation of the 27th Emery A. Rovenstine Memorial Lecture (1988); recipient of the ASA’s Excellence in Research Award (1990) and its Distinguished Service Award (1991); recipient of the Anesthesia Foundation’s Best Book Award (1991); and election to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (1990).

Throughout his career and in the time since his retirement, Dr. Michenfelder and his wife, Monica, enjoyed extensive travels. His hobbies included reading, gardening, hunting and building intricate model ships. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. He took great comfort in living on an idyllic farm on the shores of Lake Shady in Oronoco.

Dr. Michenfelder’s family suggests that memorials be sent to the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) or Oronoco First Responders. The FAER office is located at Wells Fargo Bank Building, Suite 674, 200 First St., S.W., Rochester, MN 55905. The Oronoco First Responders address is Box 195, Oronoco, MN 55960.

Mark A. Warner, M.D., is Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He also is Chair, ASA Section on Clinical Care.