Edward Price Jr.
Price remembered as gentleman and craftsman
Long-time research assistant Edward E. Price Jr., for whom the Laboratory Science Award for Basic Research was renamed last September, died of stomach cancer Jan. 18 at his home. He was 68.
Mr. Price, called a “craftsman” in his field, recently celebrated 50 years of service at Vanderbilt.
He worked in the Department of Biochemistry, where he performed sophisticated cardiovascular procedures on mice in collaboration with investigators interested in heart attack and high blood pressure research.
“He was just exceptional in his skill,” said Douglas Vaughan, M.D., chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. “He was a craftsman in the most noble sense of the word. He had skills and talents that were just extraordinary. He was really a special guy and this is a big loss.”
In November, Roger England was the first recipient of the Edward E. Price Award for Basic Research.
The renaming of the science research award included a faculty recommendation letter citing Mr. Price's contributions during his career at Vanderbilt.
“The reason we propose renaming this award in Ed's name extends beyond his unique technical skills,” the letter said. “He is an individual of impeccable character who is respected and beloved by his colleagues. Ed is an important lifeline for many different investigators.
“His skills are internationally known, yet he is an unassuming, modest man. Ed is a man who values family, faith and responsibility. He deserves to be honored because he is the ideal model of what a research assistant should be and his humanity is of a quality to which we should all aspire.”
David Wasserman, Ph.D., professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, worked with Mr. Price since 2000.
He remembers a colleague blessed with much more than a gift of dexterity that enabled him to conduct precise and delicate surgeries on tiny animal models.
“Ed's tremendous skills, work ethic and the overall way he conducted himself were unparalleled,” Wasserman said. “He is a role model, for people of all ages. He set a standard for scientific research and how to treat others that made everyone else better.”
Mr. Price was honored by family and friends at a funeral service held Monday, Jan. 22, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery.
He is survived by wife Ruth A. E. Price, sons Edward E. Price III and Eric Price, and daughters V. Michelle Price and Andrea Renee Price.