Deceased June 23, 2023
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in memory
Dr. K. Frank Austen of Wellesley, Mass., and Damariscotta, Maine, a noted physician-scientist in immunology/allergy and rheumatology for six decades at Harvard Medical School, died at his home in Maine on June 23, 2023, at the age of 95.
Frank was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. After completing high school at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, he enrolled at Amherst College. While working that summer at camp, he contracted poliomyelitis and spent several months in the Akron Children’s Hospital. By attending the University of Akron in spring and summer, he was able to enter Amherst College as a sophomore in the fall. Frank joined Theta Delt. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in chemistry and was accepted into Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Austen served three terms as a trustee for Amherst College and continued to serve for another 18 years as a life trustee. Frank and his wife, Joyce, became involved members of the Amherst community. They donated a portion of their art collection to the Mead Art Museum. They also created the Joycelyn C. and K. Frank Austen 1950 Student Science Research Fund at Amherst. Frank’s daughter Leslie ’83, son-in-law Willis ’83, and grandchildren Matthew ’12 and Elizabeth ’20, as well as Elizabeth’s fiancé, Kevin Zhangxu ’20, also attended Amherst.
Dr. Austen entered into his obligatory military service as a captain in the U.S. Army in 1956. During this time, he began research in the area of immunology. His many contributions to medicine were recognized by his election to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and by his induction into the Royal Society (UK) as a foreign member.
He is survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Leslie Parsons