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Norah Metcalf, M.B.B.S. |
That’s what Robert Binhammer, Ph.D., recalls about Dr. Metcalf, his colleague of many years in the UNMC Gross Anatomy Lab.
“It didn’t matter if she was working with medical students, colleagues or grade school children who toured the laboratory, she always approached it with great energy,” Dr. Binhammer said.
Dr. Metcalf, professor emeritus in the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, died Monday at her home in Elkhorn. She was 90.
A visitation for Dr. Metcalf will be held Friday from noon to 7 p.m. at Reichmuth Funeral Home at 21901 W. Maple Road. A wake will follow at 7 p.m., and funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Elkhorn’s St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 20400 W. Maple Road.
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They came to UNMC five years later, each taking faculty positions in the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy. Dr. Ken Metcalf would serve as chairman of the department from 1973 to 1991.
Gordon Todd, Ph.D., joined the department two years after the Metcalfs arrived and watched them team up to teach the embryology course and also develop the living anatomy course the department still includes in its curriculum.
“She would take a real interest in the students and what they had to say but she could talk their ears off at the same time,” Dr. Todd said of Dr. Metcalf. “She had a real passion for the students.”
Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research who took over as genetics, cell biology and anatomy chairman after Dr. Ken Metcalf stepped down in 1991, echoed Dr. Todd’s sentiments.
“Norah Metcalf was as interesting an individual as any of us are ever likely to meet,” Dr. Rosenquist said. “She loved teaching and she loved learning. UNMC and health sciences education has lost a one-of-a-kind treasure.”
The Metcalfs retired as emeritus professors in 1991.
Dr. Metcalf is survived by her husband, all of her children, 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Emergency Pregnancy Services in lieu of flowers.
I worked for the Metcalfe's at UNCM in the early 1980's. Dr. Nora was a delight to work for. Her enthusiasm was contagious as well as her energy. Her stories of attending med school in England during World War II were interesting. She loved learning and teaching the med students. I have thought of her and her husband and their lovely family many times thru the years. I remember her bringing her lunch to work in a bread bag, an early recycler if there every was one. My belated deepest sympathy to her family. She will be missed.