Thelma K. Berner aka Dr. Thelma T. Kennedy

Thelma K. Berner
(Professional name Dr. Thelma T. Kennedy)
Born in Chicago Oct. 18, 1925. She received her education in Chicago, culminating in a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1955. In 1956 she was admitted to the new postdoctoral program in Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Washington, and later she managed that program. She served on the Experimental Psychology Study Section of the National Institutes of Health until 1975.
In 1969 she was appointed Associate Dean of the UW graduate school, to that date the highest administrative appointment for a woman in the UW’s history. In 1972 she returned to her home department, Physiology and Biophysics. Upon retirement of the chair, Dr. Harry Patton, she became acting chair until the appointment of Dr. Wayne Crill in 1983. With Dr. Irene Peden (engineering) and Dr. Davida Teller (psychology) she actively promoted women faculty rights at the UW.
Thelma (Temy) was married to Richard Berner for 45 years, and together they explored the mountains and trails of the Pacific Northwest.
A time of memory is being scheduled to celebrate Dr. Kennedy’s life and career in conjunction with the dedication of a conference room in Physiology and Biophysics named in her honor.
Contributions in Dr. Kennedy’s memory may be made to the UW Foundation, Thelma “Temy” Kennedy fund, UW advancement, Univ. of Wash. Box 358045, Seattle, WA 98195-8045.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of People’s Memorial Funeral Coop.