John P. Dorst ’47

John died Apr. 17, 2001, of a brain tumor. He was 72. He came to Princeton from South Kent School. He also attended Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., and received a medical degree from Cornell U. School of Medicine in 1953. During WWII, he served as an engineer in France, the Philippines, and Japan.

John had a distinguished medical career. He was a prolific researcher who studied genetic bone disorders, and was the director of pediatric radiology at Johns Hopkins Children's Center from 1966-90.

He was considered the world expert on recognizing the numerous different forms of bone abnormalities that caused dwarfism. A colleague commented, "Dr. Dorst was deeply committed to children and never lost sight of the patient behind the image."

John had a sharp sense of humor and delighted in puns and wordplay. He was an ardent devotee of opera and an accomplished ballroom dancer and cross-country skier. He also sailed off the coast of Maine and the Chesapeake Bay.

John is survived by Marcia, his wife of 51 years, two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. To the entire family the class extends its deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1947