Allen Rawitch, former KU medical school professor and Overland Park officer, dies at 80
Dr. Allen Rawitch, former Vice Chancellor of University of Kansas Medical School, died from complications with cancer on Nov. 18. He was 80-years-old.
Rawitch worked as a professor of biochemistry at the University of Kansas Medical School for more than 40 years. He was a researcher behind 80 scientific papers, chair of the Biochemistry department, and, in 2000, elected by his peers as the vice chancellor of academic affairs. He served as chancellor for 15 years.
“Allen was a coach, a mentor and a friend for my entire administrative career.” said Robert Klein, the current vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at the university’s medical center. “He cared deeply that the medical center prosper, and was an advocate for faculty and students for over four decades.”
As a professor, Rawitch was highly respected. He contributed to the Association of American Medical Colleges’ writing of the MCAT, the entrance exam to medical school, and multiple textbooks. In 1998, he received the Chancellor’s award for outstanding classroom teaching.
Most of the doctors who treated him for cancer in his last few months were former students, according to Bob Rawitch, Allen’s brother.
While reading the Washington Post this week he came across an article and pulled out his computer to send it to Allen, nearly forgetting his brother was gone.
He says he’ll miss his brother’s insight and dry wit when discussing the news of the day. Their regular phone calls had become a tradition.
“I tried to copy him in everything,” Rawitch said of his admiration for his brother. “But I knew I could never be Allen.”
Allen Rawitch attended the University of California, Los Angeles, for his bachelors and doctoral degree. He went on to pursue a postdoctoral degree at the University of Illinois, where he studied proteins and hormones in the thyroid. His first teaching job was at Kent State University in 1969.
In May 1970, four Kent State students were killed, and nine others injured by National Guard troops in what would come to be a rallying cry for the national antiwar movement throughout the decade.
After the tragedy, Allen served on a Kent State committee to help find the next campus chief of police. During that process, Allen developed a passion for law enforcement.
He was recruited to the University of Kansas Medical School six years after starting at Kent State in 1969.
While at the University of Kansas, he volunteered with the Overland Park police department for 16 hours a month as a patrol officer. He rose to the rank of captain and then detective. Allen spent 37 years at Overland Park police, working also as a patrol officer.
“He was a dedicated public servant and what makes that even more important is that it was not his full-time job. But he was as dedicated as any member of the department making his or her living at it,” said Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez. “He performed above and beyond the call of duty, which is the city’s motto. It couldn’t be more fitting in describing Allen.”
He is survived by his wife of 59 years Patricia Karlan; two sons, Bruce and David; his brother; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of life to honor Allen Rawitch will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec 19, at the Meadowbrook Park Club House, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village.
