In Memoriam
Paul R. Manske, MD
1938-2011
Paul Manske, MD, was a remarkably talented and compassionate hand surgeon and a wonderful human being. He was a Washington University School of Medicine graduate and completed his orthopaedic residency training at Barnes Hospital/Washington University in 1972. He completed a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Louisville.
Manske had a passion for medicine. He was a pioneer in pediatric upper extremity surgery, being the first such subspecialist in the entire Shriners Hospitals for Children system. At Shriners Hospital for Children — St. Louis and at Washington University, he was appreciated as a great physician and a superb surgeon. He never left the clinic without thanking his nurse and the entire team that worked with him that day.
Manske was a member of numerous national and international professional organizations related to hand surgery. He authored more than 200 original articles and book chapters related to hand and upper extremity surgery and was the editor of the Journal of Hand Surgery from 1996–2010. He served as the director of hand surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children — St. Louis and was listed by St. Louis Magazine as a “Best Doctor” in hand surgery.
In 1983, Manske was appointed the first Fred C. Reynolds Professor and Chairman of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery. In his publication “A Century of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University,” Manske wrote, “The orthopaedic department at Washington University moves into the new millennium with a continuing commitment to the clinical care, teaching and research of the past 100 years.” Manske was committed to these three tenets, and as a result, was the recipient of many awards and honors:
1960 President’s Award, Valparaiso University
1983–95 Chairman and Fred C. Reynolds Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
1985 Alpha Omega Alpha, Washington University School of Medicine
1985 Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), Valparaiso University
1985 Elizabeth Winston Lanier Award, Kappa Delta Paper — American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons/Orthopedic Research Society
1991 Nicholas Andry Award for Orthopaedic Research, Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons
1993–2003 Board of Directors, Valparaiso University
1996–2011 Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Hand Surgery
2006 Palma Chironis Resident Teaching Award, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
Manske’s family was very important to him, and he was a devoted husband and father. In his free time, he enjoyed needlepointing, taking long walks in the park with his wife and dog, reading and writing. Manske is survived by his wife, Sam, and by his children, Ethan, Claire and Louisa.
Memorial donations may be made to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University or the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton, MO.