A memorial service for M. Kenton King, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine for nearly 25 years, will be held at 4 p.m. March 15 in the King Center on the seventh floor of the Bernard Becker Medical Library.
King died Oct. 15, 2009, of complications from liver cancer at his home in University City. He was 84.
King was appointed the medical school’s first full-time dean in 1965 at age 40 after swiftly gaining the senior faculty’s confidence as acting dean for five months. He retired in 1989 as one of the longest-serving medical deans in the United States as well as one of the most successful.
Under King’s guidance, the School of Medicine became one of the foremost institutions of medical education in the world. Through his leadership and vision, in particular his instrumental role in recruiting new heads of all medical school departments, he shaped the course of the institution.
Memorial contributions may be made to Backstoppers Inc., 10411 Clayton Road, Suite A5, St. Louis, MO 63131, or to a charity of one’s choice.