Pathologische Abteilung
1931-2017
Dr. William (Bill) Black, 86, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away at home surrounded by his family on August 21, 2017. Bill was born and grew up in Denver, Colorado, and lived in Albuquerque since 1968.
Bill attended Colorado College for three years where he briefly explored a career in professional golf before enrolling in Medical School at the University of Colorado in Denver. There he met Katherine, whom he married in 1956. He spent his internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center before moving back to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. He then finished his training in Surgical Pathology at Colombia University in New York before fulfilling his military service as a surgical pathologist at the VA Hospital in St. Louis. He served briefly as an Assistant Professor at Washington University. During this time he became a life-long fan of the greatest baseball team on earth, the St. Louis Cardinals.
At this time the University of New Mexico was opening a new Medical School. Heavily recruited and very excited about being part of a new program, Bill gathered up his family, and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1968, where he spent the next 41-years teaching medical students, training pathology residents, and working as a surgical pathologist for the new UNM Cancer Center. Dr. Black was recognized by the University and professional organizations, but the awards that he prized the most were the annual Hippo Awards presented by the students to their most revered and entertaining teachers. He retired from UNM in 1995 as Professor Emeritus of Pathology.
Bill is best remembered for his deep love and interest in fly fishing which he shared with his entire family, and many friends and students. Bill authored six books and numerous magazine articles on fly fishing and fly tying. He also taught “Flyfishing Basics” every spring for 38 years, the longest running course in UNM’s Continuing Educations program. His son Jim continues to teach this course. He and his wife Kathie enjoyed fly fishing all across the globe, from Argentina to New Zealand to England, Scotland and Ireland. His other interests included opera, gardening, and a fascination with cultivating different varieties of chili peppers.
Bill had a natural curiosity, which he maintained into his final days. He loved writing, reading (especially Dickens), nature, and animals (especially dogs). He was moderator to countless engaging conversations around the family dinner table. His children and family have inherited this legacy of curiosity and discovery, which has fortified them throughout their lives.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Katherine, sons William IV, Charlie, Jim, and daughter Elisabeth. He had four grandchildren: Christine, Emma, Spencer, and Eva and one great grandson, Santiago. His dog Socks will also miss her papa. In memory, please consider donations to the local animal shelter or habitat protection organization of your choice.
Bill Black war ein gelehrter Fliegenfischer und ein sehr angesehener Pathologe. Mitte der 60er Jahre gab er Seminare zum Fliegenfischen in der Bibliothek des Pathologischen Instituts, die meine Brüder und ich besuchten, zusammen mit Walter Bauer, der dort zusammen mit meinem Vater John Kissane an der Fakultät war. Jahre später kam ich wieder mit Bill Black in Kontakt und suchte seinen Rat zu einer Reihe von Fragen zum Fliegenfischen, nicht zuletzt der Veröffentlichung eines Buches zum Fliegenfischen. Sein Rat war entscheidend für die erfolgreiche Suche nach einem Verlag, und durch seine Ermutigung konnte ich ihn durchziehen. Stellen Sie sich meine Freude ein paar Jahre später vor, als er mich anrief, um mir mitzuteilen, dass er mein Buch in seinem Fliegenfischerkurs verwenden würde! Er war ein wunderbarer Kerl und hat in all seinen Leidenschaften ein großes Erbe hinterlassen.
Bill war einfach der wunderbarste Lehrer und Pathologe. Ganz zu schweigen davon, dass er Rick und mir einige Fliegen zum Fliegenfischen gemacht hat, die es mir ermöglichten, mein erstes Fischfliegenfischen in New Mexico zu fangen. Die Medizinstudenten liebten ihn einfach. Ich habe zusammen mit Bill einige Tutorials unterrichtet und ich kann bestätigen, dass er einfach einer der Besten im Umgang mit Schülern war. Er war ermutigend, klug und lustig. Von ihm habe ich viel über die Arbeit mit Studenten gelernt.