In Memoriam: Edward B. Singleton (1920–2015)

Edward B. Singleton, MD

Dr. Edward Bivens Singleton, age 94 years, died on 10 January 2015, after a brief illness that began as respiratory failure and progressed to multiorgan failure. His father, Albert O. Singleton, was a prominent surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, and Edward was determined to follow a similar professional path. Ed and I first became acquainted in 1937, when we enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Because my father was a dentist, it seemed practical that I pursue that career as my goal. Ed and I shared similar curricula. We both joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity and became “brothers” for life.

A radiograph of Ed's chest in about 1940 revealed a density that was considered to be tuberculous; however, this was never confirmed by tests of secretions or sputum. The required treatment was strict rest in bed. He therefore endured prolonged periods of bed rest. This diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis had a profound impact on his early and possibly his whole life: he changed his goal from surgery to the relatively new and physically less demanding specialty of radiology. To no one's surprise, he became an authority in the diagnosis of pediatric disease. Ed was a dedicated student and received recognition, graduating from UT-Austin with high honors and from UTMB in 1946 as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha for scholarship. His postgraduate studies in radiology were successfully completed in 4 years at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A year later, in 1952, he was certified as a radiologist.

At that time, the Texas Medical Center was in its infancy. He was soon recruited to develop the Department of Radiology that served both Texas Children's Hospital and the associated St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. He was the first staff member hired by both hospitals. In those early years, he was the leader at both institutions in radiology, but he concentrated mostly on pediatrics. After many years, the hospitals separated.

Ed's early career in Houston was interrupted by his active military duty as a radiologist in Alaska and in San Antonio (1955–57). Upon returning to Houston, he resumed what would become an illustrious career in radiology, and he received all the numerous honors that the specialty offered. The ones that he cherished most were from the American Roentgen Ray Society. Another of note was the Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma mater, UTMB. He was later designated a Legend in Medicine there. During his decades of service, he authored 7 medical books and more than 130 scientific articles. His opinions on complex medical conditions were frequently sought and often were uncannily correct. He gave invited lectures throughout the U.S. and many foreign countries.

When the Texas Heart Institute was chartered in 1962, Ed was elected to the Board of Trustees as Secretary, and he remained active at meetings thereafter. I was grateful for his support and for his advice as problems arose.

His devotion to his wife, Margaret Ann, to his children with her, and to those from a previous marriage to Selwyn Rayzor, was exemplary. I was honored when he chose me to perform his own coronary bypass surgery in 1994, and I feel relieved that the procedure provided him with many more years of activity and comfort.

I am saddened by Ed's passing and will always be proud to consider him one of my closest and most loyal friends.