H. Marvin Camel, MD, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology, died March 22, 2010, of respiratory failure at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was 85.
Camel first came to the Washington University Medical Center in 1950 as an intern at Jewish Hospital, during which time he met his wife, Greta Hahn. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Barnes Hospital in 1955, and then was on the clinical faculty in obstetrics and gynecology until joining the faculty full time as an assistant professor in 1967. In the late 1960s, Camel and Alfred Sherman, MD, started the gynecologic oncology division at the School of Medicine.
Camel was interim chair of the department from 1989-1991. He remained on the faculty until his retirement in 2001.
“During his tenure, Dr. Camel trained many generations of residents and started the fellowship in gynecologic oncology,” said George A. Macones, MD, the Mitchell and Elaine Yanow Professor and chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “As a member of the faculty at Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Camel was an outstanding clinician, surgeon and teacher. He placed an emphasis on understanding the relationship between first-class clinical care and the basic scientific mission of the medical school.”
Camel is survived by his wife of 59 years, Greta Camel, MD, and four children: Lisa Camel of Dallas; Mark (Linda) Camel, MD, of Greenwich, Conn.; David Camel of Los Angeles; Susan Camel Amme of Berkeley, Calif.; and eight grandchildren.
Services were held March 24 at Berger Memorial Chapel.
Contributions may be made to the H. Marvin Camel Lectureship fund in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine, Planned Parenthood of St. Louis or a charity of one’s choice.