Oscar P. Chilson, Ph.D., adjunct instructor and professor emeritus of biology in Arts & Sciences, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, after a brief illness. He was 73.
Chilson was born in North Little Rock, Ark. He earned a doctorate in 1963 from Florida State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Arkansas State Teacher’s College and a master’s from the University of Arkansas. He did post-doctorate work at Brandeis University in Boston.
Chilson joined the Department of Biology in 1965 and chaired the department twice during his tenure. He was chair from Aug. 1, 1997-Dec. 31, 1998, and acting chair from Jan. 1, 1981-June 30, 1983. He was associate chair from Jan. 1, 1978-Dec. 31, 1980.
His research was in enzymology and protein structure. He especially was interested in the increase in activity of specific enzymes during development; membrane binding characteristics of particular proteins; and comparative structure of enzymes from different species, using rabbit antibody binding properties as a measure of similarity.
He retired from full-time teaching in 2003 but remained active in the department, continuing to teach summer-school courses.
Chilson was a member of Saint Francis Xavier College Church. He is survived by his wife, Anne, an adjunct instructor of biology; daughters Sha’an and Erin; son, Brian; and grandchildren Brady Chilson and Olivia and Alex Rapp.
A memorial Mass was held Nov. 25 at Saint Francis Xavier. His body was donated to research.
The biology department is planning a memorial service. The Record will provide details when they become available.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center, 4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, MO 63110, or to Saint Francis Xavier College Church Outreach, 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.