Densen, Paul M.

Paul M. Densen died peacefully on July 9, 2012, some three weeks before his 99th birthday. Although a resident of Iowa City for the past six years, his heart remained with friends in Sandown, N.H., where he resided for nearly 40 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Rothfuss, and son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Ellie, all of Iowa City; two younger siblings; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth A. Reed.

Dr. Densen was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., graduated from Brooklyn College and obtained his D.Sc. degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. He enjoyed a distinguished academic career in Health Services Research and Administration, holding faculty positions at Vanderbilt University, University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University; governmental positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs; and positions in the private and public sectors, most notably the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Deputy Commissioner of Health in New York City, respectively. At the time of his death, he was professor emeritus of Community Health and Medical Care at Harvard University.

Included among his many contributions are: the introduction of statistical analysis to estimate and adjust actuarial insurance risk; development and organization of the Massachusetts Health Data Consortium and serving as its first president; Task Group leader for the Public Health and Epidemiology section of the President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island; chairman for the U.S. National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics consultant panel for developing statistical systems for national health insurance; chairman of the Subcommittee on Health Maintenance Systems of the armed forces Epidemiological Board; and inaugural head of the Harvard Center for Community Health. He held the latter position for 20 years and was particularly proud of its success in introducing this field to physicians, many of whom became influential leaders in national and academic health policy.

Paul Densen was the recipient of numerous awards, including selection for membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, two time recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Service Medical from the U.S. Department of the Army, Lasker Group Award for the American Public Health Association, Distinguished Career Award from the Association for Health Services Research, membership on the Millbank Memorial Fund Technical Board, Governor's Citation for Contributions to Public Health in Massachusetts, designation as a Johns Hopkins University Centennial Scholar, and selection as the Lowell J. Reed Lecturer by the American Public Health Association.

A private service of remembrance will be held in Sandown, N.H., in the future.

Donations in his name can be made payable to the Sandown Public Library (http://www.sandownlibrary.us/sandown/index.asp), in care of Ms. Barbara Lachance, library director, 305 Main St., P.O. Box 580, Sandown, NH 03873.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City, where condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com

Published July 14, 2012 in The Gazette