Dr. Samuel Harris Paplanus' Obituary
Dr. Samuel Harris Paplanus passed away on June 5 2014. Dr. Paplanus was born on September 10th 1928 in Columbia, Tennessee. He was raised in Winchester, Tennessee and graduated from the Columbia Military Academy in 1946. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with distinction in 1950. He was a member of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. Dr. Paplanus graduated from Vanderbilt Medical School in 1954, where he also completed his residency. From 1958-1960, he served in the US Army's Chemical Warfare Research Department at Ft. Detrick MD. He obtained the rank of Captain. He was a fellow, instructor and assistant professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins from 1960-1972. In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of Arizona School of Medicine, where he was associate professor and professor of Pathology from 1972-2012. Sam annually attended the American Association of Pathologists. Sam was an avid traveler who loved photography and traveling with friends. According to Dr. John Collins, a colleague at Vanderbilt "Sam not only would find great places to travel with his companions, he would insist on returning 30 years later and retaking photos from the exact same spot. After his retirement he was active in the Pima Medical Society. He was preceded in death by his parents Isidore & Fannie Paplanus, Sisters Charlotte Dreifuss (Phil) and Reita Franco (Edward). He is survived by five nieces and nephews: Sheryl Axelrod of Box Elder SD, Marc Dreifuss of Tonganoxie KS, Alan Franco of Metairie LA, Paul Franco of Atlanta GA, and Bryan Franco of Brunswick ME. He also had seven great nieces and nephews and two great-great nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. He is also survived by his close friend Bronson Brown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Vanderbilt University School of Medicine or the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Private interment in Nashville, Tennessee.
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