Laboratory Of Biomechanics & Biocalorimetry (LOB2)
Obituary - Erwin Morscher
Our dear friend and great teacher passed away on April 28, 2008, from tumor-related complications at
age 78, in his native city of Basel.
Professor Erwin W. Morscher, M.D. was among the internationally best-known and most highly esteemed
orthopedic surgeons. He began his advanced training in 1954 in the Pedriatic Surgery Clinic of
University of Basel Hospital. In 1957-58 he worked in Karolinska Sjukhust in Stockholm with
Professor Friberg and from 1958 to 1961 with Professor Francillon in the Balgrist University
Hospital Orthopedic Clinic in Zürich. In 1962, he returned to Basel and remained there, working
first as a senior surgeon with Professor Taillard and later with Professor Chapchal. In 1967 he
was named Chief Surgeon of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Section by Prof. Algöwer, Chief of
the Surgery Department of the Basel Cantonal Hospital.
In 1971 he was appointed Professor and Chair of the University of Basel Orthopedic Clinic and
held that position until moving to emeritus status in 1995. Subsequently he was active for many
years as delegate of the Board of Directors of the Hardy and Otto Frey-Zünd Foundation. In this
capacity he was generally responsible for the founding and operation of University of Basel's
Laboratory for Orthopedic Biomechanics (LOB), heading the LOB himself from 1997-2002.
As a result of his dedication to--and excellence in--clinical and experimental research, Erwin
Morscher received eight science prizes and eight guest professorships. Within Switzerland and
abroad, he was a member of 36 professional associations, including 16 awards of honorary membership.
Also, his contributions to the leadership of these associations was enormous. Among them: 1977-1978
President of DGOT, 1982-1984 President of SGO/SSO, 1982-1990 National representative of Switzerland
in SICOT, 1992-2002 Chairman of the Orthopedic Section in the Leopoldina Academy of Natural
Scientists, 1996-1997 President of EFORT. Also, in 1976-77 he was Dean of the University of
Basel Faculty of Medicine.
In addition, he was from 1972-97 Co-Editor of the journal " Der Orthopäde", and until 2002 an editor
of "Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery". He also served on the advisory boards of eight
additional journals.
He was a pioneer in the introduction of arthroscopy and scoliosis surgery in Switzerland. His
innovations in the areas of hip replacement and spine surgery continue to influence current
practice.
Erwin Morscher accomplished an enormous amount in his life. He was a wonderful physician and surgeon
for his patients and a great example to his co-workers. We are all very saddened by his passing and
will never forget him. We offer his family our deepest sympathy.
Trauerrede vom 7.5.2008, Marienkirche Basel (in German)
