A Memorial for William L. Epstein, M.D.
by John H. Epstein, M.D.

This year dermatology lost a leader, a scientist, an educator, and a friend.  Bill Epstein died of complications of gall bladder surgery at the age of 80.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio; September 6, 1925 but grew up and spent most of his life in San Francisco.  Bill served in the U.S. Army as a corporal in Europe and the Philippines during World War II (1944-1946).  After discharge from the Army, he received his B.S. in 1949 from the University of California, Berkeley, and his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco in 1952.  He interned at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)(1952-1953), and did his residency in dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1953-1956).  He started his post graduate academic career as an Instructor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania (1956-1957).  However, he was rapidly called back to the UCSF as an Assistant Professor (1957) to start a research laboratory in the Division of Dermatology. 

In the early 1960s, the Division of Dermatology at UCSF became a Department and Bill became the Acting Chairman (1965-1974).   In 1969, he was made a full professor and chairman of the department (1974-1985).  After retiring as chairman he continued his research activities and continued to consult in the Melanoma Clinic which he had helped establish in the department.

Bill contributed locally to UCSF not only as Chairman of the Department of Dermatology but also he served on many committees that aided in the function of the Medical School.  In the world of dermatology, Bill contributed locally, nationally, and internationally as a consultant to many organizations.  He was a member of several councils and committees of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) including being chairman of the nominating committee.  He was on the Board of Directors and president of the Society of Investigative Dermatology, of the San Francisco Dermatological Society, of the Dermatology Foundation, and Chairman of the Board of the Skin Disease Research Foundation, Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of Professors of Dermatology and he was a member and served on Advisory Boards, and Boards of Directors of many other scientific organizations.

Bill’s primary interest in dermatology was education and basic science.  As an educator he led the training of multiple fine residents in the dermatological program at UCSF as chairman between 1965 and 1985.  He was a sought-after lecturer through out the world and was an Honorary Member of the Poland Dermatological Society, the Japanese Dermatological Association, the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Bill’s interest in science was enormous and as such he authored 557 scientific articles.  He was particularly interested in and contributed basic scientific information on 1.) Tissue/cell factors, which influence epitheliod cell granulomas; 2.) Fat-soluble micronutrients in human plasma and tissues; 3.) The effects of ultraviolet irradiation on antioxidant molecules and enzymes in the epidermis and dermis of man; 4.) Occupational poison oak/ivy dermatitis; 5.) The chemistry and dermatotoxicology of allergenic plants.

Because of his educational and scientific contributions, Bill received many “Honors”. They started with election to the Phi Beta Kappa organization as an undergraduate and to the Sigma Xi Organization during his graduate training.  Subsequently he was elected as an honorary member of many dermatological organizations as noted, was invited to give many “Named Lectures” including being the prestigious Dohi Lecturer for the Japanese Dermatological Association, was cited in 8 different Who’s Who Volumes, and in 1997 he received the Emperor of Japan Award-Medal of Honor, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (Kunsho Award).

With all this academic activity one would wonder did Bill have time to do anything else.  As his wife of 52 years, Joan, pointed out we will always remember him for his joy of life.  They enjoyed traveling in their motor home, camping, rock collecting, fishing, and gardening.  Thus Bill did have a full life.  But at least for some of us it wasn’t long enough.