Joseph West,
otolaryngology professor

Joseph W. West, M.D., clinical associate professor of otolaryngology at the School of Medicine and a retired St. Louis otolaryngologist, died of complications from cancer and a stroke Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999. He was 77.

A Kirkwood resident, West was in private practice for 44 years before retiring in 1995. He was on staff at the former Barnes Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood and St. Luke's Hospital.

West also taught and performed reconstructive nasal surgery at the medical school and in eight foreign countries. He spent many years directing the otolaryngology residency programs at Homer G. Phillips Hospital and at St. Louis City Hospital.

Born in Binghamton, N.Y., West graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1944 before serving as a medical officer in the Army Air Force for two years. He joined the Washington University faculty in 1951 after a residency in the Department of Otolaryngology.

He was past president of the St. Louis Ear, Nose and Throat Club, the Missouri State Otolaryngology Society, the medical staff of St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood and the American Rhinologic Society. West also sang in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood for more than 30 years and served as a church deacon, trustee and in other capacities. A memorial service was held at the church Feb. 20. The body was donated to the medical school.

Among the survivors are his wife of 52 years, Jane M. West; four sons, Louis West of Hampstead, N.H.; Robert West of Des Peres, Mo.; Frederick West of Seattle; and Daniel West of Los Gatos, Calif.; and nine grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hunger Fund and Choir Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, 100 E. Adams Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63122.