Admired Clinician, Teacher, and Researcher
Ralph F. Knopf, MD, Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes (MEND), passed away peacefully at his home in the early morning hours on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the age of 93. He is survived by his dedicated wife of 65 years, Susan, and three adoring children, Melissa, Carrie, and Eric.
Dr. Knopf was born in Muskegon, Michigan in March 1926, the third of six boys. He was drafted into the army in June 1944, at the age of 18, where he served with Company B, 128th Infantry, 32nd Red Arrow Division. In 1945, he was shipped to New Guinea and then to Leyte and Luzon in the Philippines. After V-J Day, he served with the U.S. occupation forces in Japan. Dr. Knopf was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with level of Marksman, the Army Presidential Unit Citation, Medal of Good Conduct, and the Purple Heart.
He was recently honored for his service in WWII during the football game at the Big House on October 26, 2019. Watch the U-M Veteran of the Game video.
After returning from the war, Dr. Knopf enrolled at the University of Michigan where he received his BS degree in 1951 and his MD degree in 1954. He then completed his internship and a year of medical residency at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, Washington, where he received the Pfizer Resident Award in 1955.
He soon returned to the University of Michigan in 1956, where he completed his residency in 1959 and his fellowship in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 1962. He was then appointed as an instructor in internal medicine and rose his way through the ranks, getting promoted to assistant professor in 1963, associate professor in 1967, and professor in 1973.
Dr. Knopf was a highly respected clinician, teacher, and researcher, and was widely recognized for his extensive knowledge in endocrinology.
Dr. Sumer Pek, a close friend of Dr. Knopf shares, “In the 60's, Ralph was recruited as a fellow by the eminent endocrinologist, Dr. Jerome Conn, and subsequently as a member of the faculty. Ralph’s scientific focus had been on the hypothalamic-pituitary linkage, particularly involving growth hormone. In the early stages of his laboratory research, he spent many years in the development of radioimmunoassays for several hormones, at the time when this technology was just getting started. He expanded the scope of his research to the interaction of amino acids with the release of hormones, particularly growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide. Ralph’s reserved personality hid his productive academic performance in the evolution of the U-M Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes. We have lost Ralph Knopf, but not in our memory.”
During his years at U-M, Dr. Knopf provided endocrinology care to patients in the high-risk pregnancy clinic, served as co-director for the endocrine diagnostic laboratory, and was the endocrine sequence coordinator for sophomore medical students. He also worked in the Diabetes Center, both clinically and as director of Professional Education.
He also served as a supervising attending in the endocrine fellows Friday morning continuity clinic. “He was insightful and unflappable — really, just a pleasure to learn from and interact with. During one of those years, Ralph was honored by our fellows as the outstanding fellowship teacher of the year,” remembers Dr. Peter Arvan, Division Chief and William K. and Delores S. Brehm Professor of Diabetes Research.
Dr. Knopf retired from active faculty status on June 30, 1996, and continued his work as professor emeritus for another 14 years before fully retiring in 2010.
After his retirement, the Division created the Ralph Knopf Fellowship to honor him and his outstanding teaching abilities and dedication. Gifts to this fund support academic activities of the fellowship program.
Dr. Knopf was widely regarded as a kind man who took the time to talk to everyone, on both a professional and personal level. He had a vast knowledge in the field of endocrinology, but recognized that there was always more to learn and was passionate about it.
Simply put by Dr. Arvan, “He was such a sweet, humble, and inspiring man. He will be missed dearly.”
More stories and memories from Dr. Knopf's colleagues and friends
Dr. Rodica Busui
This is indeed very sad news for our MEND family and beyond. I echo Elif, Ron and Sumer. Ralph was one of the smartest and kindest people I had the privilege to know, who was also very humble. I met Ralph during my endocrine fellowship and had the opportunity to work with him directly, as he was always attending our Friday morning fellows' clinic, guiding and advising us with so much competence, unflappable calm, and patience.
Later, when I joined the faculty, Ralph, like Dr. Steve Fajans, had always made a point to ask how I was doing, what progress I had made in my research, give encouragements, or share interesting endocrine-related news and trivia.
His presence in the front row to our clinical and research conferences was always a cherished constant, and we will dearly miss him. My deepest sympathy to his direct family and his MEND family.
Dr. Tae-Hwa Chun
Dr. Knopf - another great doctor is gone. I was fortunate to be a fellow when he was the weekly attending physician of the fellows' clinic. He was always levelheaded for patients and fellows. He never raised his voice and uttered in despair. He was not afraid to admit a challenging case, saying “this case is baffling to me…” He is a doctor of no ego, but full of integrity and intellectual curiosity.
He was there not only in MEND conferences, but also in Grand Rounds, Cardiovascular Center seminars, Human Genetics seminars, and Life Sciences Institute seminars, commuting by bus in rain or snow. It was inspiring to find him in a seminar room with his raincoat hung over a chair. He was a true doctor who saw patients as fellow humans and who respects real science.
While we are chastised over RVUs or efficiency in clinics, I will not forget the lessons Dr. Knopf gave me in fellows’ clinics. I hope his spirit continues to inspire and encourage us.
Martha Mitchell Funnell
I met Ralph when I started working in the Michigan Center for Diabetes Translational Research (MCDTR) in 1983. He chaired the Professional Education Committee while I chaired the Patient Education Committee and we worked closely together. We provided a 3-day diabetes conference twice a year and typically had about 100 health professionals from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio in attendance so his influence went far beyond the University of Michigan.
He was a wonderful teacher and colleague, but I most remember his dry, subtle humor. He always made me laugh and I especially enjoyed his stories about his sailing experiences.
Dr. Ronald Koenig
I joined our faculty in 1988 and I remember Ralph well through our interactions in those early years. He had a calm and levelheaded way of approaching complex clinical problems, and I always appreciated his input. I also remember Ralph’s early years of retirement. He would come regularly to our MEND conferences, and I often sat next to him to hear what he was doing – art classes, bicycling, and other enriching activities. He was a gentleman and a scholar, and I am fortunate to have gotten to know him.
Jolena Nollar
Dr. Knopf was so kind to me always. A rare treasure.
Dr. Elif Oral
I am so sad to lose him. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Every time he saw me, when I first came here in February of 2002, he would take the time to find exactly what to say to make me feel good. If he heard something good about my work, he would make sure that he shared it with me. He always said he was proud of me.
He had his notebook and always took notes when we gave lectures and then ask his questions afterwards in a very quiet manner. He is someone who knew a lot, but had such great humility about his knowledge.
He loved learning and attended many lectures around the medical campus. He shared his experience and was always so happy! His smile was one constant over the years that did not change.
He will always have his seat in the front row in my memory. My eyes had looked for him on Friday when I was presenting. It is sad to know that the front row occupied by Drs. Floyd, Fajans, Knopf, and Grekin is now truly empty. I feel honored to have known him and I wish that I had said it enough times to him!
Dr. Meng Tan
In Ralph Knopf, we had a gentleman and scholar who was much admired by his colleagues and trainees in MEND. His many contributions to medicine, his influence on educating physicians, and his cordial collegiality will be remembered by many. He will be missed.
