Animal research laboratory founder Orland Soave, dies at 82

Stanford Report, April 21, 2004

By JOYCE THOMAS

Orland Soave, DVM, founder of the veterinary facilities where much of Stanford's research on heart transplantation took place, died April 6 at Stanford Hospital. He was 82.

From 1960 to 1980, Soave directed the Stanford School of Medicine research animal facility, where he was clinical associate professor of medical microbiology. "Dr. Soave did a marvelous job establishing the animal research facility when the medical school moved from San Francisco to Palo Alto," said Norman Shumway, MD, the Frances and Charles Field Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, emeritus.

Shumway performed the first human heart transplant at Stanford Hospital in 1968. The procedure hinged on extensive animal research and development of surgical techniques and anti-rejection regimens, specifically in dogs, he said. Soave's expertise supported the transplantation effort, "so we could continue to do research to make heart transplants in humans possible," he added.

Robert J. Glaser, MD, vice president and dean of the medical school from 1965 to 1970, said he was saddened to learn of Soave's death. "He had a major role in the development of modern facilities to support the burgeoning research programs in the medical school's various departments," said Glaser, now a consulting professor emeritus. "Over the years he helped expand the financial resources needed to ensure excellent care of animals."

Soave, who also had a bachelor of law degree, joined Stanford in 1960 and retired two decades later when he became a consultant in biomedical sciences to the National Institutes of Health Library of Medicine.

His publications include "The Animal/Human Bond," "Animals, the Law and Veterinary Medicine" and "Veterinary Law." He served on the board of the National Society for Medical Research and as a consultant in laboratory animal medicine for NASA.

Soave is survived his wife, Phyllis, of Menlo Park, and son Clark and daughter Kathryn Koch.