Blackburn, George L., MD, PhD of Boston, Massachusetts died at 81 on February 20, 2017 at his home. He was born on February 12, 1936 to George and Betty Blackburn in McPherson, Kansas, the younger brother of Peggy Blackburn Logan and James Blackburn who predeceased him in 1996 and 2013. Dr. Blackburn is survived by his wife, Susan Kelly Blackburn and their daughter, Vali Blackburn Udin and her husband, Roman and two grandchildren, Ari and Nina. Dr. Blackburn is also survived by his first wife, Dona L. Seacat and their three children, David, Amy, and Matthew Blackburn and their spouses, Laura, Kirsten, and Michelle, eight grandchildren, Lydia, Camilla, Piper, Isaac, Andrew, Caleb, Henry, and Olivia, and one great grandchild, Lua Kai.
Dr. Blackburn had a direct and major impact across multiple disciplines as a surgeon, clinician, teacher/mentor, researcher, author, and colleague. An innovator and visionary, Dr. Blackburn made countless contributions in the fields nutrition medicine, hyperalimentation, weight loss, and obesity surgery. A revered figure in the worlds of weight loss surgery, scientific research, medical education and mentorship, and clinical practice, Dr. Blackburn’s research led to advances in treatment and patient care. His many academic leadership roles included: the S. Daniel Abraham Chair, Professor of Nutrition Medicine and Associate Director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School, the Scientific Director and founder of the Center for the Study of Nutrition Medicine (CSNM) in the Department of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Associate Director of the Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (BNORC), an NIH-funded research organization that conducts clinical trials in the areas of obesity and nutrition. Over the course of his prolific research career, Dr. Blackburn received eight major grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He was recognized and honored by numerous medical associations, colleges and universities for his life’s work as an author, dedicated teacher and mentor, and tireless public health advocate,
In his personal time at his beloved Racing Beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts, Dr. Blackburn loved his many moments surrounded by members of his immediate and extended family, especially the children. Dr. George Blackburn will be remembered with love and admiration by his family, and also by hundreds of friends, colleagues, and doctors and scientists he mentored.
A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Church in Brookline at 10:00am on Thursday, February 23. A burial service will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts at 2:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George Blackburn’s name to The Obesity Society.
Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home
617-323-5600