Dr. Curtis Lyman Atkin, much loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and dear friend passed away January 23, 2000 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Curt was born April 21, 1942 at LDS Hospital, first son of Floyd and Ellen Lyman Atkin. He married Elisabet Thor November 21, 1971 in Stockholm, Sweden.He grew up in Cedar City, Utah, where he graduated from high school in 1959. He attended Brigham Young University for three years then transferred to California Institute of Technology where he received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. In 1970 he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, immediately followed by a three year fellowship from Helen Hay Whitney Foundation served at Karolinka Institute, Stockholm Sweden. Among his many accomplishments during his student years: he was the first Utahn selected for the Peace Corp.; he received an Air Force academic appointment from the governor of Utah; he received several outstanding chemistry student awards; he also won a National Science Foundation fellowship for graduate school.
In 1973 he returned to his home state and began an academic career as a research professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah. He held appointments in the Division of Hematology, Rheumatology, Biochemistry and Nephrology until 1994 when he retired due to health problems. Lately he went back to work as a consultant for rheumatology. However, his great love and major contribution was the research of Alport's Syndrome, the inherited disease that ultimately took his life. The understanding of the genetics of hereditary nephritis has been greatly advanced due to the efforts of Curtis and his co-workers. After 18 years on dialysis and two kidney transplants he is finally at peace.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years; and his loving children, Rita Atkin (Mathew) Corwell and Jacob William Atkin; his parents; his sister, Marilyn (Douglas) Allen; his brothers, Dale (Christine) and Scott (Genevieve); mother-in-law and sister-in-law in Sweden, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2000 at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive, where friends and family may visit on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:45-9:45 a.m. prior to services.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that contributions be sent to "The Alport Study", Department of Physiology, U. of U. Development Office, 201 S. Presidents Circle, Room 304, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-9015.
Our sincere appreciation for all the loving and professional care given Curtis during his final illness and for the kindness shown his family goes to the staff of Shock-Trauma ICU at LDS Hospital and MICU at the University Hospital.