"Peggie, Frank, Scott, Nan, Ed, Grandma Watanabe, Sorry to hear of your loss, Gus was quite a very kind man, they world just lost a great person! God Bless, Shaun Edwards"
In loving memory of
Dr. August Masaru Watanabe M.D.
August 17, 1941 - June 9, 2009
Dr. August Watanabe, a renowned physician, researcher and professor who led research and development at Eli Lilly and Company for nearly a decade, and who was a pioneer in the study of the cellular mechanics of the heart, has died. He was 67.
Watanabe was Executive Vice President of Science and Technology and a member of the Board of Directors at Indianapolis-based Lilly from 1996 to 2003. He joined Lilly in 1990, and held several executive positions in the company's research and development component prior to assuming the role as President of Lilly Research Laboratories in 1994. During his tenure as its head, the Lilly R&D organization more than doubled in staff as Dr. Watanabe recruited a number of the world's top biomedical researchers to the company. Under his guidance, Lilly launched 11 important new pharmaceutical products and, upon his retirement, he left the company well positioned with a rich pipeline of innovative drugs in development.
Prior to joining Lilly, Watanabe was a full-time faculty member of the Department of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine from 1971 to 1990. In 1978, he became the youngest Professor of Medicine at the university, and from 1983 to 1990, he was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine.
Following his retirement from Lilly, Watanabe remained active in the biomedical field, until his death serving as chairman of BioCrossroads, co-founder of Marcadia Biotech, partner in Twilight Venture Partners, and a director of Ambrx, Endocyte, QuatRx, and Kalypsys. He was also a senior advisor to Frazier Healthcare Ventures. He also remained active in the community, serving as a director of the Indiana University Foundation, the Regenstrief Foundation, Christel House International, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
During his academic and research career, Watanabe co-authored more than 100 scientific publications and book chapters and served on the editorial boards of scholarly journals and as an officer in several national academic organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Watanabe received countless honors and awards throughout his career. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians, and was a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honorary society.
Born in Portland, Oregon on August 17, 1941, Watanabe received a bachelor of science degree in zoology from Wheaton College in 1963 and his doctor of medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1967. He did additional postgraduate work in clinical pharmacology at the Laboratory of Clinical Science of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and in cardiology at Indiana University Medical Center.
Watanabe is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margaret Watanabe; his sons, Frank and Scott; six grandchildren; his mother Mary, sister Michi, and brother Ed. He was preceded in death by his daughter Nan and father Frank.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) or to Christel House International (www.christelhouse.org).
Tributes
"Dear Watanabes, I was sorry to read about Gus. I have been praying that your family might find peace. I met Gus and Peg briefly, when I accompanied my mother, Dorothy Morrison, to a dinner honoring donors to the IU Med School. The dinner was at Lilly Corporate Center in the fall of 2000, the year Dad (Dr. Lew Morrison) died. My parents were your neighbors to the south on Mohawk Lane in the 1970s and 1980s. They enjoyed your family very much and talked about them to me and my brothers and sisters. I am sure that my mother would write to you or send a card to express her sympathy, were she still alive. She passed away in January of this year. "
"Peg, Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. We were honored to have known such a great man. His knowledge, compassion, and energy for medicine will be forever missed. Sincerely, Judi Randall and Bill Alford"
"Peggy, We want to express our sincere condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have given a donation in your husband's honor. God Bless You. With hearfelt sympathy, Kris Beckwith, Kris Box, Lynn Bemenderfer, David Moore, and Sonja Voelkel"
"Dear Peg We want to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family. His presence will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers."
"Dear Peg, Lourdes and I are so sad to learn of your tragedy. I always, always appreciated Gus'advice and sincerity. We send you our profound and sincere condoleances. We are thinking of you and family. Alain"
"Peg, So sorry about your losses. I remember Gus for being such a gentle man. Only a few of us knew he was also a good poker player. My most sincere condolences, Peg. Steve"
"Dear Peg, I was saddened to hear about the deaths of Nan and Gus. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have two deaths in the family. When I have been grieving, it has helped me to remember a verse from Psalm 30 that says that "weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning." I hope that you and the rest of your family can remain strong while enduring grief, and that this time of grief will someday be followed by a time of joy. Emily"
"Mrs. Watanabe, Frank and Scott, I was so saddened to read of Dr.Watanabe's death and got a double whammy in reading his obituary to learn of Nan's death a month earlier. Mrs. Watanabe, I have such fond memories of Nan, Frank, and Scott at Park Tudor and so appreciated the sincere interest and dedication you and Dr.Watanabe had in their educational pursuits. Nan was special to me as she was a brilliant writer and destined for greatness; Frank, you were no slouch either and what great talents you exhibited in everything you undertook. Scott, you had two tough acts to follow and listening to your 2 tributes today, I believe you both fared well with your father as your mentor. How fortunate to have a man like him for a father. I loved the story Dr.Gidda told about Dr.Watanabe driving Nan to Park Tudor and dropping her off at the gate. I chuckled as that was so Nan--quick and clever to think on her feet! "THE GARDENER"? You 3 have lost not just one but 2 loves-of- your-lives, and I am deeply saddened, send you my deepest sympathy, and will continue to remember you in my prayers. Sincerely, Judy Roberts Muirhead"
"Please know of my deepest sympathies for your family at this time. Please be comforted that people across the country are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers."
"Peg and Family, We send our condolences and prayers at a time when words are so hard to find."
"Our deepest sympathies and very best wishes to the entire Watanabe family."
"Dear Peg and the Watanabe family I was very saddened this morning by the news of Gus, and your daughter's death a month earlier. My father Jan and mother Lily always spoke in such high regard about you and Gus. They so enjoyed your trips to South Africa and valued your friendship a great deal. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Kind regards Etienne Nel"
"Frank, I am so sorry for you and your family. You are in my prayers."
"Our deepest sympathy goes to the Watanabe family. Dr. Watanabe was my mothers Cardiologist at IU Med Center in the early 80's. He was deeply saddened when she passed away. Our family had the deepest respect for him and greatly appreciated what he did for our mother and our family. You all are in our thoughts and prayers in this most tragic and difficult time. "
"Peg, Mary, Michi & Family, You have my sincere sympathy on the sudden loss of a wonderful husband,son, brother, friend & professional to soo many people! I've known Gus since his family moved to Berne & joined West Berne Church. With love & prayers, Jaci (Class of '60) and Bob Rienecker"
"To the family of Dr. August (Gus) Watanabe, I am at a loss for words, Gus was always on my mind and in my heart. Having been a friend for over 50 years I will miss not seeing him in September. The tragedy of two losses in a short time brings tears to my eyes, a lump in my throat, and a heavy heart. You will all be in our prayers and in our hearts. Gerry from the class of 59."
"Frank, Our family send you our condolences."
"Always a smile and a friendly hello to everyone on the IU Med Center Campus--I worked in Emerson Hall, as a secretary in the 70s and 80s, and it was an honor to know your husband, son, father and grandfather. Prayers to you all. Susan "
"Dear Peg, I wish I could adequately express my condolences to you and your children regarding Gus' death. My heart and prayers to out to you all over this tragedy and loss. You and I met in 1997 at a 6 month NIFS program long before I had the opportunity to work in Lilly Research Labs. I had the opportunity to work under Gus' leadership from 2001 until is retirement in 2003. I can only echo all the positive sentiments expressed about Gus. Please take good care of yourself and let others provide you love and support during this difficult time. Katie"
"Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband and father as well as a wonderful person. I worked with Dr. Watanabe at the VA Medical Center. I was the Administrative Manager of the Medicine Department and pretty green when it came to all the subspecialties. He took me under his wing and invited me to learn "his" Cardiology. When my father died 25 years ago, he sent flowers to the funeral home in SW Indiana and sent a personal card to my home. After my divorce, I moved to Atlanta and he called to make sure I was settling in at the VA there and told me not to hesitate to call him if I wanted to return to Indiana and needed a job. I had the utmost respect for Dr. Watanabe. He was a stern administrator and teacher who was also a great person. His untimely death is a great loss to the medical community in Indianapolis and Indiana. The days ahead of you will be long and lonely but you and I and hundreds of his colleagues will always remember what a kind, compassionate, considerate, truly caring man Dr. Watanabe was. He will forever be missed but his legacy will live on."
"Dear Peg, My deepest condolences to you and the family. Shock and sorrow still so great that I cannot write more. --- Sangtae"
"Dear Peg, I want to extend my heartfelt and deepest sympathy to you, your children and your other family members at the most untimely loss of Dr.Watanabe. While I played no significant role in his life, I wanted you to know how much he affected me and how I felt about him. He indeed was a very special man. I got to know Dr. Watanabe in the 1980's when I was a staff secretary working for the Department of Medicine, Indiana University when he was the Chairman. I maintained his professional calendar, made his travel arrangements and kept his patient files among other duties. I found him to be a man of great character and integrity who did not differentiate in his contact and manner with any level of his staff. He was kind, considerate and caring to all. I maintained his patient files even after he left IU for Eli Lilly. While his professional life had become more business rather then clinical in nature, he wanted to continue to see his patients telling me "My patients are my hobby". He never considered them work. I felt, for him, they were a labor of love. His patient files contained some very high level, individuals of note. But he also saw those who were on Medicaid, patients he felt needed him. Many people of stature in the Indianapolis area were quoted today in the Indianapolis Star concerning Dr. Watanabe. But Dr. Watanabe's caring ways and understanding were felt at every level of society. I was a secretary, not an executive or highly educated doctor or research person. Yet he never failed to remember me, to give me recognition, just as he did not forget his patients who were less fortunate. When my mother became ill and a diagnosis for her condition could not be determined, I turned to him. He was helpful and considerate, referring her to a doctor at IU for examination and evaluation that proved very helpful. After Dr. Watanabe left the University for Eli Lilly and Company, I applied for work at Lilly. His glowing recommendation letter was instrumental in my obtaining a position there. While I did not work for him directly during my years at Lilly, I continued to have professional contact with him Peg, you may remember me. I worked as an administrate assistant in marketing the drug Evista; a drug for osteoporosis. I attended a public lecture you gave on menopause and its affect on women's health. We worked together to bring your lecture to Eli Lilly. It was one of the most successful lectures in Lilly's history, with attendance in the auditorium being standing room only the day you delivered your message. I believe that lecture furthered the women's health initiative at Lilly. It evolved into what is now Women's Health Week each year at Lilly. I received awards and recognition for developing and implementing the idea for the event. Had I not known you and Dr. Watanabe, I would never have had the opportunity to plan this event. I have not seen Dr. Watanabe since I left Lilly for retirement in 1996, but I have never forgotten him because of his high level of integrity, character and professionalism. I simply thought he was one of the finest and best individuals I ever knew during my working life. It was a privilege to work for him. I know his presence will be missed in so many ways by so many people from all walks of life. It is a tribute to the kind of life he led. Again, my deepest sympathy to you and your family, Peg. May God bless and keep all of you during this most difficult time. My prayers will be with all of you. He was irreplaceable. Respectfully, Terry L. Hauger "
"Thoughts and prayers are with you Peg and the family"
"Dear Scott, My deepest condolences on your loss."
"Dear Scott, Praying that you and your family can find strength, courage, and peace during this time. Please accept my deepest condolences and let me know if there is anything I can do to help in any way. Sincerely, David"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Dr. Margaret Watanabe, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry for you loss. Always, Pw"
"I was so sorry to read about Dr. Watanabe's tragic death. My husband, Robert Shellhamer, would have been extremely distressed. My sincere sympathies to the Waanabe family. "
"My sincerest sympathies to the Watanabe family. Gus was a true gentleman and scholar who will be missed by all. He has touched many lives and will remain in our hearts forever. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers."
"Frank, We are so sorry for your loss. The road ahead while painfull and bumpy will ease with time. Bless you and your family and may God help you during this time of sorrow. Josie and Ned Shannon"
"I remember meeting Dr Watanabe in the halls of University Hospital during the late 1970's and how he greeted everyone with a smile. I left the IU Med Center in 1980, but have read every article written about Dr Watanabe and would always smile and think of him continuing to befriend people in all walks of life. My sincere condolences in your loss"
"Please accept my condolences and those of my recently deceased husband, Dr. Victor Milstein. Victor had the highest regard for Dr. Watanabe and his devotion to research."
"Peg and family Gus's spirit lives on forever in the lives of the countless people he has touched and the wonderful, incredible things he has done for the community and the world beyond. "
"Peg, So very sorry to hear of the loss of such a fine man. He accomplished so much in his life to help others. My thoughts and prayers for each of the families. High School Classmate - Judy Dye"
"We would like to extend our condolences and best wishes to the family and friends of Dr. Watanabe."
"To the family, Michi and Dr.Margaret Watanabe: I am very sorry for the news of Dr. Watanabe. I enjoyed the many years I worked for him in MADC.My prayers are with each and everyone of you.Remember, God knows best."
"So sorry for the loss of such a great man. His legacy will live live long within this community."