Beverly Shores resident Morton Frank Arnsdorf, MD, MACC, died in a motor
vehicle accident on June 9, 2010, on his way home from work. He was 69.
Dr. Arnsdorf was a nationally renowned researcher, clinician and
cardiologist. He was Chief of Cardiology at the University of Chicago from
1981-1990, and most recently served as professor emeritus and associate vice
chairman for appointments and promotions in the Department of Medicine at
the University of Chicago. He also led a team of researchers that made
significant advances in understanding the risk of heart disease in women.
His peers recognized these accomplishments, among many others, by electing
him a Master of the American College of Cardiology, an honor bestowed on
fewer than 60 cardiologists in the United States.
Born August 7, 1940, in Chicago, the son of a general/family practice
doctor, Dr. Arnsdorf earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from
Harvard University in 1962 and his medical degree from Columbia University’s
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1966. He came back to Chicago for his
residency training at the University of Chicago Hospitals from 1966 to 1969,
followed by a two-year cardiology fellowship at Columbia-Presbyterian
Medical Center in New York. From 1971 to ‘73, he served as a major in the
United States Air Force and was the chief of cardiology at the Air Force
hospital in Elmendorf, Alaska.
A life-long learner, Dr. Arnsdorf taught himself late in life how to play
Hawaian slack-key guitar and to paint. He was also deeply committed to the
Beverly Shores community and played a major role in civic activities.
Dr. Arnsdorf is survived by his wife Rosemary Crowley; stepchildren Chris
Crowley (Bunthay San), Jeanne Crowley Atkinson (George), Colin Crowley
(Jen), and Tim Crowley (Katia Bennett); grandchildren Will Bernstein, Liam
Crowley, Kate and Harry Atkinson and Declan Crowley; sisters-in-law Patricia
Bartolomei, Eileen Schoop (Roy), Mary Carpenter (Luis Garcia);
brother-in-law William Carpenter (Jean); and cousins Aviva Braun (Leonard),
Shula Megiddo, and Dorit Shneider (Eric). He was preceded in death by
brother-in-law Robert McCormick and cousin Michael Wharton.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23 at
St. Ann of the Dunes Catholic Church, Beverly Shores, 433 West Golfwood
Road, Beverly Shores.
Memorials may be made to the Beverly Shores Community Association and the
Section of Cardiology at the University of Chicago to be used to fund the
Morton Arnsdorf Cardiovascular Sciences Research Day.