AALAS founding father Robert James Flynn, 85, passed away on March 11, 2008, at his home in Lake Forest, IL. Dr. Flynn, along with Drs. Nathan Brewer, Elihu Bond, and Bennett Cohen founded in 1948 the Animal Care Panel, the precursor to AALAS.
Dr. Flynn earned his doctor of veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 1944 at the age of 21. He served as assistant state veterinarian from 1944 to 1957 and Lake County veterinarian from 1957 to 1984. Concurrently, he was the veterinarian for the Argonne National Laboratory, where he served as director of the animal facilities and conducted research on the care and disease of laboratory animals, aging, viral carcinogenesis and environmental impacts. One of his many published works was “Parasites of Laboratory Animals” by Iowa State University Press.
Dr. Flynn was the 1968 recipient of AALAS’ Charles Griffin Award, the oldest and most prestigious AALAS award. He was also the first recipient of the Robert J. Flynn Award in 1969. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to laboratory animal science. Dr. Flynn was also a member of the National Research Council and the National Academy of Science.
Dr. Flynn was the husband of Doris J. Flynn; father of Robert J. Flynn, Jr., James R. Flynn, Susan J. Flynn, Nancy J. (James A.) Masters, Betty J. (James F.) Walker, and the late Jean B. Flynn; grandfather of four; and brother of Rosemary Perveiler and Patricia Pindiak.
Courtesy of the Lake Forester and the Chicago Tribune
Dr. Flynn earned his doctor of veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 1944 at the age of 21. He served as assistant state veterinarian from 1944 to 1957 and Lake County veterinarian from 1957 to 1984. Concurrently, he was the veterinarian for the Argonne National Laboratory, where he served as director of the animal facilities and conducted research on the care and disease of laboratory animals, aging, viral carcinogenesis and environmental impacts. One of his many published works was “Parasites of Laboratory Animals” by Iowa State University Press.
Dr. Flynn was the 1968 recipient of AALAS’ Charles Griffin Award, the oldest and most prestigious AALAS award. He was also the first recipient of the Robert J. Flynn Award in 1969. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to laboratory animal science. Dr. Flynn was also a member of the National Research Council and the National Academy of Science.
Dr. Flynn was the husband of Doris J. Flynn; father of Robert J. Flynn, Jr., James R. Flynn, Susan J. Flynn, Nancy J. (James A.) Masters, Betty J. (James F.) Walker, and the late Jean B. Flynn; grandfather of four; and brother of Rosemary Perveiler and Patricia Pindiak.
Courtesy of the Lake Forester and the Chicago Tribune
