Daniel P. Schuster, M.D., the Virginia E. and Sam J. Golman Chair in Respiratory Intensive Care Medicine and a professor of medicine and of radiology, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007. He was 57.

Schuster served as the associate dean of clinical research from 1996 until 2005. He joined Washington University in 1981.

As associate dean for clinical research, Schuster was tireless in his efforts to enhance clinical research at the medical school. He initiated and led the Center for Clinical Studies and developed a master's degree program in clinical investigation. He was passionate about translating basic science into better treatments for patients and spent years building bridges between basic science and clinical departments at the medical school.

He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council (ECFC) and served as chair during the 2006 and 2007 academic years.

"Dan was a superb clinician and intensive-care physician, an accomplished scientific investigator and a terrific teacher," said Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. "He was truly a faculty advocate, always working for the best interest of the faculty as a whole. As chair, one of his major recent contributions was championing ECFC bylaws changes to provide the ECFC with more input into school governance and to allow a broader representation of School of Medicine faculty on the ECFC."

Schuster was also a highly regarded and well-funded researcher devoted to advancing imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor inflammatory lung diseases.

"Dan was a wonderful colleague and a very loyal member of the Department of Medicine," said Kenneth S. Polonsky, M.D., the Adolphus Busch Professor and chair of the Department of Medicine. "He always provided well-reasoned and thoughtful advice and input. His passing will leave a significant hole in our department and he will be sorely missed."

Schuster is survived by his wife, Debra; sons Jamie and Evan; his mother, Alice; and a brother, David and many, many friends. Funeral services were held Sept. 16 at the Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Congregation in Richmond Heights, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or American Lung Association.

12/08/2021 DEC