Henry Pancoast Pendergrass ’47

He served for three years in the military before joining our class in 1946. Graduating in 1948, he attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, earning a medical degree in 1952, and a residency in radiology and appointment to the hospital staff in 1953. Henry went on to a brilliant career in radiology and nuclear medicine, both as a practitioner and in teaching and research.  

In the 1960s he was at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. From 1976 to 1995 he was professor and vice chairman of the Department of Radiology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Many of his research findings were published.  

Henry married Carol Dodson in 1960 and they had four daughters. The family enjoyed many ski vacations and other adventures together. Tragically, Carol and the two oldest daughters were killed in a hot-air balloon accident in 1993. A year later, Henry married Carol Roberts, widow of Jim Roberts ’48, whom he had known while growing up. They enjoyed 14 years together.

In addition to Carol, Henry is survived by his daughters Debbie and Peggy, three stepchildren, and eight grandchildren. We extend this celebration of a distinguished classmate with warm wishes to them all.