Sherwin Mizell, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Anatomy, Indiana University School of Medicine, died on July 30, 2010, in Indianapolis, Indiana, following a lengthy illness. He was 79. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 27, 1931, he was the son of Eleanor and Harry Mizell. Educated in the Chicago public schools, he later earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana campus. While there, he met his future wife, Mary Ann Larson. They were married in 1957.
Following teaching and research positions at the Medical College of South Carolina and Creighton University School of Medicine, he joined the faculty at Indiana University in 1965 as associate professor, rising to the rank of full professor. During his tenure at Indiana University, he taught human gross anatomy to medical students. Numerous times over the years he was awarded outstanding teacher in the basic sciences as voted by the medical students. He also taught a basic anatomy course to undergraduate students in health-related fields, and he was active in the Undergraduate Honors Program, the Individualized Major Program and high school biology clubs.
His research interests were in the areas of circadian rhythms and biorhythms, and over the years his research and publishing were supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Indiana Heart Association, NASA and the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Sigma Xi National Science Honorary.
During his academic career at Indiana University, he was at various times department chairman, section head and chairman or member of numerous committees, including the Medical School Admissions Committee on which he served for over 20 years.
Beyond Indiana University, he was a consultant-examiner for the North Central Association for 23 years, participating in the accreditation of post-secondary institutions in the Midwest. He often served as chairman of teams visiting the institutions, and for four years he served on the Accrediting Review Council. Sherwin cared about the Bloomington community. Elected to the Bloomington City Council and serving on the Bloomington Plan Commission, he took particular pride in promoting the establishment of neighborhood parks and bicycle paths. The family were members of the Lake Monroe Sailing Association and the Bloomington Jewish Community where Sherwin was one of the founding members of Congregation Beth Shalom. At the time of his death, he was a member of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis.
His interests in conservation and land use were put into practice on the Mizell farm in Northern Monroe County. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Township Water Corporation.
In 1995 he and his wife, Mary, moved to Cape Coral, FL, to pursue their interest in boating. In addition to cruising the waters in S.W. Florida, on several occasions they cruised the intracoastal waterway as well as the lakes and rivers in the Midwest and across Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Steven Mizell and David Mizell; daughter, Jennifer (Alan) Schwartz; four grandchildren, Paul (Samantha) Mizell, Cameron Mizell, Jonathan Schwartz, Emily Schwartz; brother, Dr. Merle Mizell; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Dr. Irving Mizell.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Funeral Chapel, 3000 E. 3rd St., Bloomington, IN, on Sunday, August 1. There will be a private burial service at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Vincent Hope Hospice, 8450 Payne Rd., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46268 or to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Family Programming and Enrichment Fund, 600 W. 70th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260.
Arrangements: Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.arnmortuary.com