PAUL VICTOR STRUMIA

1928-1994

Paul V. Strumia of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, a member of the American Alpine Club since 1950, died after a brief illness on July 4, 1994. Born in Philadelphia, he grew up in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1948 and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1952. He trained in pathology at Yale University and at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1956, he served in the armed forces at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. At the time of his death, Paul had been associated with Bryn Mawr Hospital for 36 years, where he was associate director of the pathology laboratory.

Paul's interest in mountaineering no doubt came from his father, the late Max M. Strumia, a member of the American Alpine Club, who made many ascents in the Alps and many climbs in the Canadian Rockies during the 1920s with Roy Thorington and other Club members. Most, if not all, of Paul's climbing was in the Italian Alps. He climbed a number of the major peaks including the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc from the Italian side.

I had known Paul for many years as a professional associate on the Staff of Bryn Mawr Hospital and as a friend with whom I had skied but not climbed. Our medical staff had respect for Paul’s clinical acumen and judgment, for his modesty and his capacity to work in harmony with others. He published more than 30 scientific papers on blood preservation, blood fractionation and allied subjects. He was immeasurably devoted to his work and to his family, finding happiness in both.

He is survived by his wife Lucetta, children Max M. and Paula M. and a sister Mary Vanni of Genoa, Italy.

E. Downs Longaker, M.D.