32nd APS President (1959-1960)
Robert F. Pitts
(1908-1977)
Robert Franklin Pitts became president in July 1959. Born in
Indianapolis, he received a B.S. degree from Butler University. He earned
his Ph.D. degree from Johns Hopkins under S. O. Mast in 1932, and from 1932
to 1938 he served on the staff of the Department of Physiology of New York
University College of Medicine while earning his M.D. degree. He was elected
to APS in 1934. From 1938 to 1942 he held research fellowships at the
Neurological Institute of Northwestern University and the Johnson Foundation
for Medical Physics at the University of Pennsylvania. He was assistant and
associate professor of physiology at Cornell University Medical College from
1942 to 1946. In 1946 he became professor and departmental chairman at
Syracuse University. He returned to Cornell as professor and chairman of
physiology in 1950 and remained there until his retirement in 1974. After
retirement he served as research professor at the University of Florida
until his death in 1977.
Pitts was most noted for his contributions to our knowledge of kidney
function. Application of his principles of acid-base, electrolyte, and water
balance led to standard therapies in daily use in medical practice. It was
his universal practice to serve as the first human subject in his own new
research procedures.
Known also as a dedicated teacher, he was awarded the first Distinguished
Teaching Award of the Association of Chairmen of Departments of Physiology
in 1978. He authored two major texts: The Physiological Basis of Diuretic
Therapy (1959) and The Physiology of the Kidney and Body Fluids
(1974).
Pitts became president elect in 1958, after having served on the APS
Council since 1955. He had previously been a member of the Board of
Publication Trustees (1948-53) and chairman of the Membership Advisory
Committee (1955-56), the Committee on the Use and Care of Animals (1957-59),
and the Porter Fellowship Committee (1956-59). During his presidency, the
membership category of "sustaining associate" was established for
individuals and institutions making special contributions to the Society. It
has proved to be a valuable asset both in terms of finances and in promoting
communication between the Society and industry. Also during his presidency,
a committee was established to study the relation of the Board of
Publication Trustees to Council.
In public manner, Pitts was reserved and austere, but closer association
revealed him to be warm and thoughtful with a provocative sense of humor. He
was much admired by his students and colleagues.
Selected Publications
1. Alexander, R. S. Pitts and urine acidification. Physiologist
26: 364-366, 1983.
2. Fenn, W. O. History of the American Physiological Society: The
Third Quarter Century, 1937-1962. Washington, DC: Am. Physiol. Soc.,
1963, p. 47-48.
3. Pitts, R. F. Past president's address: the teacher and the ferment in
education. Physiologist 3(4): 20-29, 1960.
4. Selkurt, E. E., et al. Robert Franklin Pitts (1908-1977).
Physiologist 20(5): 9-11, 1977.
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