Dr. Brobeck, Physiology

Dr. John R. Brobeck, professor emeritus of physiology in the School of Medicine, passed away March 6; he was 94.

Dr. Brobeck chaired the department of physiology from 1952 to 1970 and was a professor until 1982. He was named the Herbert C. Rorer Professor in the Medical Sciences in 1970. As Penn’s judicial administrator from 1989 to 1993, he oversaw the resolution of the “Water Buffalo” incident. He was also president of the Faculty Club (now the University Club at Penn) from 1969 to 1971.

Prior to coming to Penn, Dr. Brobeck served on the medical faculty at Yale University, where he earned his medical degree in 1943. He received a BS from Wheaton College in 1936; and from Northwestern University an MS in 1937 followed by a PhD in neuroanatomy in 1939.

He was the chairman of the editorial board of the journal Physiological Reviews from 1963 to 1972. He held memberships in the American Physiological Society, of which he was once president, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Science, and had been a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Brobeck is survived by his daughters, Elisabeth Thompson and Priscilla; sons, Stephen and John T.; five grandchildren; and a sister. Memorial donations may be made to the church organ fund at the Aldan Union Church, 7 E. Providence Rd., Aldan, PA 19018.