Charlton Desaussure *42

Charlton was born in Fort Clark, Texas, and grew up in various Army posts, following his father, who was a lieutenant colonel in the cavalry. After preparing at the Tome School in Port Deposit, Md., he entered Princeton, where he majored in biology, was a member of Sigma Xi honor society, and graduated with honors. He graduated from Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1945 and did postgraduate training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He performed his Army service at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington.  

Returning to Charleston in 1950, Charlton began a private practice of internal medicine. His success in that field and his teaching ability led to his appointment as professor of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. The medical school’s Omnes Recte Iuvare Society award, made to an outstanding senior, is known as the deSaussure Medal.  

Charlton also served a term as president of the Medical Society of South Carolina.  

Charlton was devoted to his family. To his wife, Mary; his children, Charlton II, Mary Cutler, and Catherine Mark; and his nine grandchildren, including Charlton deSaussure III ’08 and Frances deSaussure ’10, the class sends its sympathy.