Dr. C. Richard Minick (1936-2021), Professor Emeritus of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, died on Long Island, New York on November 5, 2021 at the age of 85. Dr. Minick will be remembered for his extraordinary contributions to the role of cell injury and inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. His innovative work helped to focus scientific research on the role of immunological and viral injury in the development of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Minick published 42 substantive research papers and 19 book chapters in the field of atherosclerosis research.
C. Richard Minick, MD
Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Minick was a native of Sheraton, Wyoming where he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming in 1956. He matriculated at Cornell University Medical College that year, and received his M.D. degree at this medical college in 1960. He was an intern, resident and chief resident in Pathology at The New York Hospital until he completed such training in 1965. In the 1960s and 70s, he rose through the academic ranks and was promoted to Professor of Pathology in 1976. For his meritorious service to the medical college, he was elected Professor Emeritus of Pathology in 2001, but continued teaching at the medical center until 2009. He truly excelled in medical school teaching, and students appreciated his erudition. He won many teaching awards at Cornell.
A boarded pathologist, Dr. Minick served on many medical college committees and became an integral part of the fabric of this institution. He was a member of the general faculty council, the executive faculty council, the Committee of Review, and several search and compliance committees. Moreover, he also was successful in obtaining grant support from the NIH and the American Heart Association in the 1960’s- 1980’s.
Most notably, Dr. Minick took great pride in teaching the next generation of medical students, residents, and young scientist, many of which have become noted investigators in their own right. A great hallmark of his distinguished career are the people that he trained, and he was very proud of those individuals.
The dominant influence of Dr. Minick in the field of cardiovascular research, including his power for attracting investigators into this field, was his enthusiasm for bench research and medical education. This ebullience will be missed by the community of cardiovascular pathologists working in the field of atherosclerosis today.
David P. Hajjar, Ph.D.
November 8, 2021