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Donald Mulder
In Memoriam

Donald Mulder

Professor Emeritus of Surgery

UC Los Angeles
1924-2018

Dr. Donald Mulder was born in 1924 in Hospers, Iowa. He attended Blissfield High and then enrolled at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. His studies were soon interrupted by WWII where he served in the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant flying P-51 Mustangs on reconnaissance missions over Germany. At war's end, and upon returning to Hope, he distinguished himself as a talented and competitive leader of Hope's championship "Flying Dutchman" basketball team.

By his senior year he was chosen to be team captain for Michigan's All State team and later, in 1972, was honored by the NCAA for his achievements both on the court and professionally. At Hope, he met his wonderful wife-to-be, Barbara, and they were soon married. From there, with the help of his G.I. Bill, he and "Bobbe" left for Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medical School. There he came under the influence of Dr. Alfred Blalock and embraced the exciting new world of cardiac surgery. After three years of residency at Hopkins, he came to the newly opened UCLA Medical Center to finish his residency under the esteemed Dr. Bill Longmire. There he conducted important research in the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and devised and tested the first bypass pump oxygenator used at UCLA. He would later serve as chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery from 1976-82, as acting chair of the Department of Surgery in 1987-88, and as vice chair of Surgery from 1988 until his retirement in 1991.

He continued as an emeritus member of the teaching faculty until 2005. Don loved surgery as well as the satisfaction of teaching and mentoring. He loved the whole educational atmosphere at UCLA full of enquiry, excitement, vitality, and, what he called, "the bushy-tailed new interns coming down the pike." He also kept a lifelong interest in college sports and admired John Wooden as he led the Bruins to 10 NCAA national championships.

Besides his service to UCLA, Don regularly offered his surgical skills to the VA Hospital. He was a faithful supporter of his alma mater and it's mission, serving on Hope's Board for many years. He also was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica and served on many lay Boards and committees over more than 60 years. As father to his four children, Michelle, Bruce, Mark, and Scott, he enjoyed taking the family on many special vacations. He loved the outdoors and instilled in all of his children a great appreciation for nature's simple gifts.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara, his son Scott and his wife Laura with their two children Nathaniel and Kate, his eldest son Bruce, his "favorite daughter" Michelle with her husband Jack, and his sister, "Pinks" Dudley.

Ronald W. Busuttil