The Department of Surgery faculty and staff are deeply saddened to lose surgical pioneer and lifelong friend to the Department Samuel D. Weakley, who passed away Sept. 18, 2010. He was 86. Dr. Weakley, who was on the clinical faculty of the department from 1955- 2004, was the most respected senior surgeon in Kentucky. He completed medical school in 1950 and a general surgery residency in 1955. He practiced as a general surgeon in Louisville for 46 years during which time he received countless accolades.

He was a past member of the UofL Board of Trustees and the UofL Board of Overseers. Dr. Weakley dedicated his life to service, both medical and community, and, along with his late wife, Dr. Lita Weakley, was a tireless advocate for educational excellence.

Drs. Sam and Lita Weakley donated major gifts to UofL's School of Medicine to endow Chairs in both Surgical Oncology (1995) and Anesthesiology (1999). Division of Surgical Oncology Director Robert C.G. Martin, II, M.D., Ph.D. holds the endowed chair in surgical oncology.

In 2007, UofL presented Dr. Weakley the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. The award reflected a lifetime of integrity and excellence in their professional field, as well as a significant long-lasting contribution to the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center.

That same year, he also received the Department of Surgery's 2007 Samuel Gross, MD, Career of Service Award, which recognizes physicians who have dedicated their lives to surgical education, research and patient care.

While Dr. Weakley received many awards in his life, he will be remembered most for his integrity, compassion, kindness and warm smile for everyone he met. He was the consummate gentleman, a true community servant, a loyal friend of the Department of Surgery, and an exemplary role model for surgeons everywhere.

A memorial service in celebration of his life was held at Crescent Hill Baptist Church.