Raymond Ernest Counsell

Raymond E. Counsell, PhD, age 85, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2016 at The Terraces, Bonita Springs, FL with his wife Liz by his side. Ray was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1930. His parents, Florence and Ernest Counsell immigrated to Canada from England following World War I. At the age of 10 years, Ray was hired as a delivery boy for a local pharmacy. Upon graduation from high school, the minister of his church recommended to his parents that their son attend university. Ray enrolled at the University of British Columbia and in 1953 received his Bachelor of Science of Pharmacy Degree along with the Horner Gold Medal as the top student in his class. He subsequently attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and in 1957 graduated with his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. In the same year he married Elizabeth Short who was graduating with her degree in nursing. The couple moved to Evanston, IL where Ray became a Senior Research Chemist at a leading pharmaceutical company, G.D. Searle. In 1963, Ray was recruited to the University of Michigan to establish a new program in radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Ray was awarded a Research Professorship from the American Cancer Society which provided funds for his support and research expenses. Over the course of the next 40 years, Professor Counsell was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and oversaw the training of 24 doctoral students and 35 postdoctoral fellows. Moreover, his laboratory gave rise to numerous agentssubsequently used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Dr. Counsell was active in the American Chemical Society including having served as chairman of the Division of Medicinal Chemistry. He was also active in the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, and the International Association of Radiopharmacology. Among his numerous awards, Dr. Counsell received a Fogarty Fellowship, the Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Ghent, Belgium, and the Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award of the University of Minnesota. While living in Ann Arbor, MI, Ray and Liz were members of the First Baptist Church. During that time, Ray served on the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees. While in Bonita Springs, Ray and Liz were associate members of the First Presbyterian Church. Ray was a wonderful role model, had a great sense of humor, and loved his family dearly. In addition to his wife of 58 years, he was survived by three children: Steve Counsell (Carol), Ron Counsell (Shelly), and Cathy Martin (Mike); six grandchildrenand two great-grandchildren; nephew David Counsell (Wendy) and Liz’s niece Stephanie Allin (Maurice). A memorial service is planned for later this year in Ann Arbor, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Raymond E. Counsell Lectureship Fund of the University of Michigan directly online at http://victors.us/raymondcounsell or by contacting university officials at UMHS-gifthelp@umich.edu or 734-764-6777. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Raymond Ernest Counsell

August 20, 1930 - March 21, 2016