MORLEY DONALD HOLLENBERG

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MORLEY DONALD HOLLENBERG

July 2, 1942 – March 15, 2025

On Saturday, March 15, 2025, after a short illness, Morley Donald Hollenberg passed gently into the night embraced by the love of his family, his spouse, Joan, of 60 years, daughter, Elisa, and son, Daniel. He was 82.

Morley was born in Winnipeg, MB, the son of physicians, Jacob and Esther (nee Gorsey) Hollenberg. In the minds and hearts of those who knew him, Morley was a Renaissance man. A scholar (BSc Honours, MSc, MD and PhD), an artist and a gentleman, a person of profound intellect, unshakable integrity, and boundless kindness, he left an indelible imprint on all whom he touched. With 36,000 scientific citations, numerous awards, and over 600 scientific publications, his discoveries have made paradigm-shifting contributions to global biomedical research. Many branches of research and knowledge pertaining to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and neurological diseases have been transformed by Morley’s discoveries.

Beyond his achievements, Morley’s true mission was to lessen suffering. His passion for “finding the cure” knew no bounds, and in the last years of his life, Morley believed he was close to a significant breakthrough to finding a cure for cancer.

Morley became an iconic figure with the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Over his 45 years there, he was well recognized by colleagues and students alike—not only for his beautiful head of snow-white hair and his unfailing willingness to chat with students over coffee outside his lab on the sofa—but also for his familiar query: “What is your hypothesis?” Often taking a front-row seat at weekly seminars, he was known for frequently asking questions that echoed the high standards he practiced.

This trait reflected Morley’s passion, which was apparent even in his early years. From 1964 to 1968, he was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford in England, rising at dawn every morning to join his rowing eight at St Catherine’s College, before heading to his laboratory where he was working on his PhD in molecular biology. The years at Oxford set the tone for Morley’s rigorous scientific standards and motto, “Trust your insights and stay true to key principles.”

Morley arrived in Calgary, AB, after completing his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. His tenure at Johns Hopkins lasted for another six years, where he was both an Assistant Professor in Pharmacology, and an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Hopkins Department of Medicine.

Morley was recruited to the University of Calgary in 1979 as the department head of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, a position he held for 10 years, after which he continued as a full professor and research scientist.

Morley’s delight in teaching and mentoring generations of students was legendary. In 1999, he founded the Leaders in Medicine (LIM) joint degree program, a remarkably innovative program educating hundreds of physician-scientists in both clinical and research training, many of whom continued to be involved in research in their subsequent medical careers. The Leaders in Medicine program is a distinguishing feature of the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. This program clearly followed the example set by his Father, Mother, four uncles and two aunts who founded and contributed to the Winnipeg based Hollenberg Clinic, the first research based group practice clinic in Canada (1949-1959).

Retirement was not in Morley’s vocabulary. As Professor Emeritus, he nurtured a vision of continued collaboration with colleagues and mentorship of students. Emulating role models such as his own father, a surgeon, and globally recognized leaders in biomedical research like Dr. Paul Talalay, Morley was determined to contribute to the advancement of science as long as he could. Incredibly, his most recent publication was last year in 2024. His legacy of kindness, inspiration, and generosity will live on as one who dedicated his life to healing, the pursuit of knowledge, and the betterment of humanity.

Morley’s artistic skills were also considerable. In the mid-1980s, the Chinese calligrapher and artist, Master Chin Shek Lam put a brush in Morley’s hand and taught him the brushstrokes of Chinese calligraphy. Morley mastered the art and began creating free-form calligraphy. For him, the movement of the brushstrokes represented an ideal medium for the visual expression of nature’s secrets which was the substrate of his scientific work. Unbeknownst to many, Morley was also a prolific poet and had deep thoughts on many philosophical topics and global issues facing humanity.

Morley had profound respect and warmth for everyone who crossed his path. Even towards the end of his life in the hospital, his daily interactions were often filled with gratitude and kindness to those around him. A special thanks to Rabbi Mass for the insightful eulogy in Winnipeg, and to Morley’s colleagues for their ongoing caring and support during his final days and months.

Besides his loving wife, Joan (nee Omson), Morley is survived by his daughter, Elisa Hollenberg, and son-in-law, Stefan Alexander, of Toronto, ON, his son, Daniel Hollenberg, and daughter-in-law, Seema, and grandchildren, Mira and Isaac, all of Winnipeg.

Morley is also survived by his beloved brother, Walter Hollenberg, and sister-in-law, Diana Lambrecht of New Jersey; brother-in-law, Jody Leven of Winnipeg; sister-in-law, Judi Omson, and brother-in-law, Ron Dumoff of California; Sandi Omson, and brother-in-law, Mike Cawley, of New Brunswick. He also leaves behind stepsisters, Francie Frank (Kenny) and Marion Cohen; stepbrother, Stanley Cohen (Karen) of Toronto, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Morley was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Esther (nee Gorsey); his sister, Doreen Leven (nee Hollenberg), of Winnipeg; and sister-in-law, Lois Omson, of Markham, ON; as well as his stepmother, Ida Hollenberg.

Morley was interred in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery of his ancestors in Winnipeg.

Tributes: www.MHFH.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2025