Hearing Research Pioneer Merle Lawrence Dies

Merle Lawrence, Ph.D., founder of the Kresge Hearing Research Institute and professor emeritus of otolaryngology, physiology and psychology, died on January 29 at the age of 91.

Recruited to Michigan in 1952 by Dean Albert Furstenberg (M.D. 1915) to set up a laboratory for physiological acoustics, Lawrence obtained funds from the Kresge Foundation to build a facility devoted to research on the ear and hearing. He directed the Kresge Hearing Research Institute from 1961-83.

Lawrence earned a doctorate degree from Princeton University in 1941, then became a Naval aviator during World War II. After joining a Naval squadron in the South Pacific, his plane was struck by enemy fire and Lawrence was wounded. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart, among other military
honors. Lawrence received numerous academic and professional honors as well, including awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, the American Otological Society and the American Academy of Audiology.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bobbie, as well as three children, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Merle Lawrence Research Fund, U-M Kresge Hearing Research Institute, 1301 E. Ann Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-0506.

Also:

In the Limelight

David Bloom Chairs Urology

America’s Top Docs for Men

Ginsburg Elected to National Academy of Sciences