Oregon Health & Science University has scheduled a Sept. 22 memorial to celebrate the life of Dr. Robert Koler, a pioneer in genetics research.

Koler made important early discoveries in the field of genetically inherited blood disorders and anticipated early on the role that molecular biochemistry would play in curing disease. He also helped steer the university toward its current focus on genetics-based research.

"He believed that genetics was the way to the future," says former OHSU President Peter Kohler, who will speak at Koler's memorial.

The service starts at 2 p.m. in the OHSU Auditorium (Old Library Building), 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd.

Koler, a provost emeritus and professor emeritus of medicine and molecular and medical genetics, died Aug. 2 at the age of 88.

Born in Wyoming on Valentine's Day, 1924, Koler and his family moved to Eugene where he studied at the University of Oregon during World War II. He married in 1945, and in 1947 he completed an accelerated Army training program at the university's medical school in Portland, the precursor to OHSU. During the Korean War; Koler worked as an Army captain and hospital physician in Japan.

Returning to the medical school in Oregon, he studied under noted hematologist Edwin Osgood, and in the 50s began working with Richard Jones, doing first-of-their kind studies of genetically inherited blood disorders.

Long before genetics became widely viewed as a way to cure disease, Koler preached its importance. After a 1960 sabbatical studying genetics at the Galton Institute in London he pushed the medical school to offer basic courses in genetics. Genetics became a division, then a full-fledged OHSU department in 1981, that he was selected to head. He later served in a variety of administrative jobs while continuing to push for genetics research.

After he retired in 1989, he offered to work as an advisor to then-OHSU vice-president Lesley Hallick, but turned down any pay, saying his retirement pay was enough.

"The mission of the instititution is what he loved," Hallick said.

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Sept. 22 memorial service scheduled for Robert Koler, Oregon Health & Science University genetics research pioneer

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