Dr. Edward D. French devoted his life to science, education, and mentorship. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1976. Following his doctoral studies, he pursued postdoctoral research at the Arthur Vining Davis Laboratory for Behavioral Pharmacology at the Salk Institute and later as an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich, Germany.

From 1980 to 1988, Dr. French served on the faculty of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. In 1988, he joined the University of Arizona College of Medicine, beginning a remarkable 30-year career that would leave a lasting mark on generations of students and colleagues.

At the University of Arizona, Dr. French rose from Associate Professor to Full Professor in Pharmacology in 2001. He was Director of the Pharmacology Graduate Program (1996–2005), Director of the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics course (1993–2007), and Block Director for the Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Renal Block (2007–2015). He also served on various College of Medicine committees, including the Curriculum Committee, Student Progress Committee, Student Appeals Committee, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Advisory Committee to Arizona Respiratory Center Training Program, Standing Subcommittee for Preparation for Clinical Medicine Course, Furrow Advisory Committee, Dean’s Search Committee, and many others.

A gifted educator, Dr. French earned 14 teaching awards and was honored as a member of the Academy of Medical Education Scholars. His passion for teaching and research was matched only by his deep care for his students. As he once reflected:

“The highlights of my academic life were having the privilege to interact with the best and brightest faculty and to mentor students striving to become accomplished scientists.”

Dr. French’s legacy endures through the countless minds he inspired, the lives he touched, and the pursuit of knowledge he championed throughout his distinguished career. His life reflected his kind and generous spirit and an enduring dedication to fostering the well-being of those around him.

Dr. French is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki Gotkin, who lay by his side when he took his last breath as she promised, his children, Lindsay Nicole French, M.D., who was also one of his students while receiving her M.D. degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and Nicholas French (Leah Kaye, M.D.) His grandchildren include Chloe French-Rosas, Charles French-Rosas, Franklin Alexander French-Rosas, and Benjamin and Martin French. He was also a loving and supportive stepfather to Kelsey Adler (Michael Gazzolo) and Steven Adler.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to prostate cancer research or a charity of your choice. 

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