Dr. David Korn, beloved husband of Carol Scheman, died on March 10, 2024, shortly after his 91st birthday. A brilliant scientist and academic leader, he devoted his life to academic medicine, health policy, and biomedical research.
A son of the late Solomon and Claire (Leibman) Korn, he was born in Providence, RI, where he attended Classical High School. After graduating from Harvard College and Medical School, he became a clinical and research pathologist at the NIH. In 1968 he joined the Stanford Department of Pathology as professor and chair, and over the next 17 years built one of the top-ranked departments in the country. He was appointed dean of Stanford Medical School in 1984 and served in that position and as vice president of Stanford until 1995. Among his many leadership positions in science and medicine, he was a member of the National Academy of Medicine, an AAAS Fellow, a founder of the California Transplant Donor Network, and a Presidential appointee as chair of the National Cancer Advisory Board. His subsequent career included chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges and Vice Provost for Research at Harvard. His continued commitment to ensuring the integrity of research added to his deep and wide scholarly contributions.
He and his ex-wife, Phoebe Richter Korn, had three sons: Michael and his children Shira Tova, Shmuel, Zipporah Esther, Ashleigh, and Carolyne, and twenty-one grandchildren; Stephen, his children Justin and Elyse, and their mother Jana; and Daniel, his wife Barbara and children Rachel and Andrew. He has been an adoptive and stepfather to the daughters of his loving and beloved wife Carol, whom he married in 1997: Rebecca Fiduccia, her partner Anthony and son Rocco, and Joanna Fiduccia, her husband Josh and son Solomon. He was a delighted and delightful grandfather, who especially loved playing, walking, and talking with his adored grandchildren. He was occasionally cantankerous, always principled, deeply concerned about the future of the country and its democracy, dedicated to gender and racial equity and scientific excellence, and a devoted mentor. He leaves an indelible mark on the world and a hole in many hearts.
His funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Avenue, Providence, RI. Burial will follow in Lincoln Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Following the burial, Shiva will be observed, with a meal of consolation, starting at 4 pm at Temple Emanu-El.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Providence Classical High School Alumni Association, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, or the Boston Museum of Fine Arts or Temple Emanu-El.
