Dr Andrew Burger Murray, 1927–2018
Dr Murray, a graduate of the University of Cape Town and an alumnus of the Boston Children’s Hospital, was the first pediatric subspecialist in Vancouver who limited his practice to children’s asthma and allergies. He subsequently became a professor of pediatrics at BC Children’s Hospital. There he established the Division of Allergy and became its first head. He published the first controlled study showing that asthma in mite-sensitive children could be improved, and bronchial reactivity decreased, if their bedroom was made dust-free. He was also the first to show that asthma in children was aggravated if the parents smoked in the house.
Dr Murray retired in 1992, but until 1999 he continued to publish research articles based on the data he had accumulated. In 1992 he also attended art school. He continued to paint, hike, and kayak for many years. He is survived by his wife, Molly, and his daughter, son, and five grandchildren.
—Annie Davison
London, England