Merrill P. SPENCER, M.D. 1922-2006 Merrill Parker Spencer born in Pawnee, OK Feb. 27, 1922 to William Arthur Spencer and Charles Gertrude McCabe Spencer, where his father was a US Indian agent. Grew up with older sister, Audine, and three older brothers, Eugene, Kenneth and Charles. Graduated from high school Shawnee, OK, received college degree Oklahoma Baptist and MD from Baylor University, Houston, TX in 1945. Captain and Flight Surgeon Army Air Corp in post-war Germany. 1951 through 1962, Associate Professor of Physiology & Pharmacology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, NC where taught and performed world leading research in the dynamics of blood flow. Moved to Seattle in 1963 to become Director of the Virginia Mason Research Center for 7 years, where he established leading Hyperbaric Laboratory in Northwest. Founded the Institute of Applied Physiology & Medicine (IAPM), with Dr. Jack Reid in 1972. Pioneered Doppler ultrasound device to detect nitrogen bubbles to predict and study "the Bends" in divers. His research is basis for algorithms in today's diving decompression schedules and computers. Also developed Doppler device to diagnose blockages in carotid arteries, a leading cause of stroke. Opened the first vascular laboratory in Seattle at Providence Hospital, then Swedish, Northwest, Stevens, and Valley Hospitals. In 1987 Dr. Spencer co-founded Pacific Vascular Inc., which operates 14 locations in Western Washington. After leaving Pacific Vascular in 1992 Dr. Spencer co-founded, with Scott Seidel, David Dobson, RVT and Mar Moehring, PhD a new company Spencer Technologies, Inc. which has developed Transcranial Doppler (TCD) instrumentation to diagnose blood flow conditions in the brain, and to detect emboli in flowing blood. Thousands of research papers have now been published utilizing this technique relating to stroke, heart valve problems, heart defects, cardiovascular surgeries, stent placements, and recently Alzheimer. In the last 14 years Dr. Spencer has been committed to building Spencer Vascular Diagnostic Services and supporting its excellent staff, its research programs, and the diagnosis of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), a "hole in the heart". Collaborations with Dr. Mark Reisman, interventional cardiologist, and the team at Swedish Cardiovascular Research Institute have been particularly rewarding for Dr. Spencer. Other honors and affiliations include Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Founding President International Cardiac Doppler Society, Lifetime Achievement Award European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics, Lifetime Achievement Award Undersea Medical Society, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine & Bioengineering University of Washington, Past President of Seattle Zoological Society, Medical Director Namu expedition, Member Seattle Yacht Club. Preceded in death in 2004 by daughter, Merrillyn "Mimi" Spencer. Survived by loving wife of 34 years, Joanne Ellen Spencer, stepchildren, Scott Seidel (Kajsa), Penny Carey (Bryan), and Jill Seidel, and grandchildren, Lindsay Seidel Klick (Jason), Hillary Seidel, and Derek Spencer.