Nathan Brewer Passes Away

The laboratory animal science community is mourning the death of AALAS founder and first president, Dr. Nate Brewer. He was 104.

One of Dr. Brewer’s lasting contributions to the field was pioneering the concept of a dedicated veterinarian managing the care and welfare of laboratory animals. Dr. Brewer retired from the University of Chicago in 1969 and spent the next 40 years consulting, pursuing his interests in the morphophysiologic differences among animals, and participating in various professional societies.

“Dr. Brewer made major contributions to AALAS and the biomedical community, including initiating the participation of veterinarians in the oversight of laboratory animal care and management,” said AALAS President Scott Perkins. “Dr. Brewer's passing is a tremendous loss to the AALAS community and he will be dearly missed.”

Dr. Brewer was born on June 28, 1904 in Albany, NY. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Michigan State College in 1930, a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1936, and a DVM from Michigan State in 1938. In 1977 he was bestowed an honorary degree from the College of Osteopathy.

In 1950 Dr. Brewer was one of five Chicago-area veterinarians that organized the first national meeting of the Animal Care Panel (now AALAS). Seventy-five people attended. Dr. Nathan Brewer was elected first president of the Animal Care Panel, a position he held for five years.

He received numerous awards over his illustrious career, including Man of the Year by the National Society of Medical Research in 1955. AALAS established the Nathan R. Brewer Scientific Achievement Award in 1994 that recognizes individuals who have made major and repeated scientific contributions to laboratory animal science and comparative medicine.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Development, Michigan State University, F-130 Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824. For more information call Goldman Funeral Group at (847) 478-1600.