Frederick David Malkinson, M.D., age 91, an Evanston resident for almost 45 years, passed away on Sept. 7, 2015, after a brief illness.
Fred was active in several local organizations. As a member of the Evanston Library Board from 1988 to 1995, Dr. Malkinson was involved in continued efforts with the City Council to plan and implement the construction of a new library for Evanston. He helped organize an international architectural contest for the design of the new library, which yielded approximately 350 entries from around the world, and he worked with the Evanston Arts Council to select numerous pieces of art that are still displayed throughout the library. Dr. Malkinson was President of the Library Board during the grand opening ceremonies of the new Main Library in October 1994. In 2013, Fred and his wife made a donation to the Evanston Public Library to help support its American History Collection. Fred also served as president of the Chicago Literary Club and Art Encounter (Evanston), and he was active with the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago (Skokie).
Fred was a liberal thinker, had a good sense of humor, and was devoted to his family. He loved travel and hiking, American history, the arts, and musical theater. Fred was a thoughtful, modest person dedicated to bringing out the best from people around him. He is recognized worldwide for his contributions to medical research and innovative treatments, editorial positions of prestigious medical publications, and presidencies of numerous professional and civic organizations.
After graduating from the Harvard University School of Dentistry and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Malkinson went on to do his dermatology residency at the University of Chicago with the noted researcher, Stephen Rothman, M.D. It was there, as a faculty member, that Fred pioneered the use of radiation for a variety of skin diseases.
In 1968, Fred was recruited by Rush University Medical School and the Department of Internal Medicine, where he founded the Department of Dermatology, which he chaired for over 20 years until his retirement. Fred taught and mentored countless medical students and residents during this time, and encouraged them to not only be outstanding physicians but also explore interests outside of medicine.
During his 50-year academic career, Fred was deeply committed to medical research and education. He authored over 130 articles, clinical studies, and book chapters in dermatology publications, was chief editor of the Yearbook of Dermatology and the American Medical Association Archives of Dermatology, and served as an editorial consultant to the World Book Medical Encyclopedia. He held leadership positions in the American Academy of Dermatology, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, the Dermatology Foundation and the Chicago Dermatological Society. Fred traveled the world as a speaker and instructor on radiobiological research and treatment of dermatologic disorders. For 30 years, he pioneered the creation of numerous dermatological audiovisual teaching aids for university medical students and residents-in-training, for which he was awarded the Lifetime Career Educator Award from the Dermatology Foundation, a national organization headquartered in Evanston. He organized and established the National Residency Matching Program for Dermatology in 1982—the country’s first for any specialty of medicine—and supervised the program for 20 years.
Fred served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, including 2 ½ years of active duty during the Korean War, and retired with the rank of Captain.
Fred will be fondly remembered by his children, Philip (Patricia), Carol (David Hyde), and John (Deborah), grandchildren Jacob and Chloe, stepchildren Bill and Paul Weiss, and his wife of 36 years, Una.
A private service was held. Donations will be gratefully received at the Evanston Public Library for the American History Collection (1703 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL 60201), and the Dermatology Foundation, a national organization that funds dermatologic research (1560 Sherman Ave., Ste 870, Evanston, IL 60201).