Deaths
April 7, 2009, Volume 55, No. 28	Print Issue

Dr. Johnson, Medicine

At presstime Almanac was informed of the death of Dr. Bernett L. Johnson, professor of dermatology & pathology, senior medical officer at HUP and senior associate dean of diversity and community outreach in the School of Medicine. He died on April 2; he was 76. Additional information will be published next week.

Dr. Manson, Microbiology

Dr. Lionel A. Manson, a retired professor in the department of microbiology in the School of Medicine and former faculty member at the Wistar Institute, passed away April 1. He was 85 years old.

Beginning his tenure at Penn in 1954 as a research assistant professor, Dr. Manson’s research interests included immunological responses during progressive tumor. He also served on the faculty at the Wistar Institute from 1965 to 1989.

Dr. Manson earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biological chemistry from the University of Toronto in 1945 and 1947, respectively. He earned his PhD in the same discipline from Western Reserve University in 1949.

Dr. Manson is survived by his wife, Rosalie; children, Florence, Aaron and David; grandchildren, Joseph and Sarah Nye, Daniel, Joshua, Adam, Hannah and Rachel Manson.

Contributions may be made to any charity that supports Cancer Research.

Dr. Parr, Pathology & Lab Medicine

Dr. Justin Ludgar Parr, an adjunct faculty member in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the School of Medicine, died of heart failure on March 27. He was 76 years old.

Dr. Parr, a neuropathologist, had been an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Medicine from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Before coming to Penn, he served on the faculty of Hahnemann University in Philadelphia.

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Dr.  Parr earned a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and a medical degree from the University of Wisconsin. He completed residencies in anatomic and clinical pathology and in neurology at University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Several years ago, he was part of a research team of doctors from the University of Pennsylvania and the Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine whose findings could help develop an oral therapy for multiple sclerosis.

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Medical Society honored Dr. Parr for his 50 years in medicine. He was a member of the American Association of Neuropathologists.

Dr. Parr is survived by his nephew, Douglas Erickson.

Mr. Yarnall, OIP

James “Jim” Biddle Yarnall, retired associate director of the Office of International Programs (OIP), died March 22 at the age of 82.

Initially, Mr. Yarnall was a recruiter for the dean of admissions. In 1961, he was appointed director of the Office of Fellowship Information and Study Abroad Programs. He retired as associate director of the OIP in 1986. He was an English teacher prior to coming to Penn.

Regarding his service, then director of the Office of International Programs Dr. Joyce Randolph said, “With his conscientious guidance our 12 undergraduate study abroad programs were established, and he had been responsible for the advising team which counseled over 2,000 students annually on opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study in other countries. Indeed, for many years he was the sole administrative advisor handling these inquiries and at that time (1961-75), Jim was also providing advice to University of Pennsylvania students concerning graduate fellowship opportunities in the United States.”

He received his BA from Amherst College in 1949.

Mr. Yarnall is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons, James B. and Stephen; and grandchildren, Sidney, Rebecca and Elizabeth.

A memorial will be held Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. in the Friends Meeting House at the Westtown School in Westtown, PA.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

To Report A Death Almanac appreciates being informed of the deaths of current and former faculty and staff members, students, and other members of the University community. However, notices of alumni deaths should be directed to the Alumni Records Office at Room 545, Franklin Building, (215) 898-8136 or e-mail record@ben.dev.upenn.edu.