Ellsworth (Buster) Alvord, M.D., 1923-2010
It is with great sorrow that I inform you of the death of Dr. Ellsworth (Buster) Alvord, a beloved colleague, friend, teacher and mentor. Buster received his M.D. from Cornell University in 1946, trained in Pathology and Neurology at New York Hospital, Walter Reed Hospital and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and from 1953 to 1955 was Chief of the Neuropathology Section of the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Blindness. From 1955 to 1960 he was an Associate Professor of Pathology and Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine. He joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Washington in 1960 as an Associate Professor, was promoted to Professor in 1962, and became an Emeritus Professor in 2002. In addition to the Pathology appointment, Buster had an adjunct appointment in Neurological Surgery. Here is a space to collect stories, thoughts, images and anything else you would like to share about Dr. Alvord. A selection of these items will be shown at Buster's memorials.
Buster was the founder of Neuropathology at UW, and was not only a pioneer, but also had an active involvement on research, teaching and service activities in neuropathology for almost 50 years. In 1999, as we started to look into the future of the Neuropathology Division without him, I wrote a letter to Buster that contained the following statement: “… I am convinced that we have a bright future and that we will be able to build a very strong Neuropathology unit. One of the main reasons for my optimism is that we have a solid foundation on which to build. This foundation is the product of your many years of dedication, leadership and support. Without this strong base, I doubt that we could move forward….” . I am pleased to say that 10 years after this letter was written, we have in place one of the best Neuropathology groups in the country, as a living legacy of Buster’s work and dedication. In his “retirement” years, working with Kristin Swanson, a much younger colleague, Buster once again demonstrated his creativity by developing mathematical models for glioblastoma growth.
Buster and Nancy Alvord dedication to the Department was also expressed by their remarkable generosity in establishing and fully funding the Alvord and Shaw Chairs in Neuropathology, the Murray Chair in Neuropathology/Applied Mathematics, for their support for the Alvord Family Neuropathology Laboratory at Harborview Medical Center, and their continuous support of the Neuropathology Division. Buster and Nancy’s vision have also provided for the funding of six endowed chairs in various Departments (including the Murray Chair) that will form the nucleus of the Buster and Nancy Alvord Brain Tumor Center, whose initial organization is directed by Dr.Tom Montine, head of Neuropathology.
Buster and Nancy’s contributions to Seattle’s cultural life are multiple, and include their support for the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Art Museum, ACT, Seattle Repertory Theater, and UW Meany Hall and Henry Art Gallery.
We have lost a unique and irreplaceable member of our extended family. As we offer our sympathies to Nancy and all members of the Alvord family, we express our gratitude to them, and reassure them that we will strive to honor Buster’s achievements and legacy.
Nelson Fausto, M.D.
Professor & Chair
UW Medicine Pathology
Memorial service information: The Alvord family has planned a memorial to take place on Thursday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m. in Meany Hall at the University of Washington. This memorial is being organized by people from A Contemporary Theater (ACT) and will mostly highlight Dr. Alvord’s involvement in various cultural activities in Seattle.