Paul A. Young, Ph.D.: 1926-2023

Paul A. Young, Ph.D., professor emeritus of anatomy at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, died June 24, 2023. He was 96. 

Young (A&S ’47, Grad ’53) chaired the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology from 1969-2004. 

“Dr. Young epitomized the highest mission of SLU School of Medicine and we are grateful for his decades of service,” said Christine Jacobs, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “His legacy lives on in generations of alumni and the strength of our anatomy programs today.”

The department was reorganized in 2004 into the current Center for Anatomical Science and Education (CASE). 

In 2010, Paul A. Young Hall, which houses Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education (PASE) and the Adventures in Medicine and Science (AIMS) program, was named in honor of Young’s contributions to the University.

Young was born on Oct. 3, 1926, in St. Louis to Dr. Nicholas and Olive Young. He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1944. He received a B.S. in biology from SLU in 1947 and as a freshman, he played on the 1944-45 SLU basketball team because older players were called to war.

After graduation, he worked as a brewing chemist at the Falstaff Brewery before returning to SLU for a master’s in anatomy, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo.

Young planned to remain in Buffalo, until he received a call from the chairman of SLU’s anatomy department. Young described the call for Universitas in 2018.

“Most of the anatomy faculty left after a dispute with the dean,” Young said. “That left only three faculty to handle all the medical, dental and physical therapy courses. I can still hear the panic in Kermit’s (Dr. Kermit Christensen’s) voice. He said, ‘Paul, would you like to come home? We need you. Now.’”

Young packed up his wife and five children and moved back to St. Louis. His office was in Schwitalla Hall on the north side of the third floor — where it stayed for more than 60 years before his retirement.

He began teaching in 1957 and was the course director for neuroscience for many years.

Basic Clinical Neuroscience, the textbook he co-authored with his successor, Daniel Tolbert, Ph.D., is still the recommended text for neurobiology courses.

While teaching neuroanatomy, his students honored him with two Golden Apple Awards and five Teaching Awards for Outstanding Dedication and Excellence.

Young was the first recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Academy of Science of St. Louis, which inducted him as a fellow in 2011.  

In 2017, it was estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all living School of Medicine alumni had been educated by Young.

“Many students remember him for being able to deliver such complex material with such clarity and for being able to draw a complex figure in anatomy on the chalkboard using both hands,” said John R. Martin, Ph.D., CASE director. “Many were stunned by this feat and were inspired to take on careers in neurology, medicine, or anatomy, including myself.” 

Young continued to work at SLU until he was 93. He told St. Louis Magazine in 2019 after his retirement that he missed working with the students. 

Young married Catherine Ann Hofmeister in 1949. She preceded him in death in 2004. The couple had 10 children, Paul H., Robert, David, Ann, Carol, Richard, James, Steven, Kevin and Michael.

A School of Medicine Grand Rounds tribute to Young in 2017 featured six family members who followed him into medicine. His grandson, orthopedic surgeon Jason P. Young, M.D. (’05) said he was inspired by the way his grandfather continued to learn with and prepare for his students.

“He said, ‘I never give the same lecture twice and I never stop learning myself,’” Jason Young said. “He prepared for every lecture as if he’d never given it before and that’s what makes him the best.”

Young is survived by his 10 children, 30 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 3-9 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Kutis Affton, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at St. Francis Xavier College Church. A reception at Young Hall will follow the Mass from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.