Hugh Edmondson, 80; Head of Pathology Department at USC

Hugh A. Edmondson, who came to Los Angeles County Hospital from Chicago as an intern in 1932 and in later years became chairman of the department of pathology at USC and director of laboratories and pathology at County-USC Medical Center, has died of cancer.

He was 80 and an internationally recognized expert in pancreatic and liver diseases when he died Saturday.

He began teaching pathology at USC in 1938, became department chairman in 1951 and over the years served the Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation, the section on pathology and physiology of the American Medical Assn., and was consulting pathologist at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and Santa Fe Hospital. He also was the author of more than 70 publications in his specialties.

With his wife, Dorothy Mossman Edmondson, he helped maintain financially USC’s Cancer Research Building, Faculty Center and Pathology Library and laboratories.

He also was a founding member of the Board of Councilors of the School of Medicine of USC.

In 1979, the University of Chicago, his alma mater, awarded him its highest honor, the Professional Achievement Award.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons and two daughters, 13 grandchildren and one great- granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held July 31 at 11 a.m. at the Mayer Auditorium on the USC campus.

Contributions to the Edmondson Memorial Fund may be mailed in care of Harry Bernhardt, associate dean for financial affairs at the USC School of Medicine, 2025 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles 90033.