Harold E. Usndek, M.D., a former clinical associate professor of Dermatology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, died May 19. He was 93.

Dr. Usndek and Mrs. Barbara Usndek have a long history with Wayne State University and the School of Medicine. Dr. Usndek graduated from the College of Liberal Arts in 1939 and went on to attend the School of Medicine. While in medical school, he met Mrs. Usndek, another WSU student, who was pursuing a degree in medical technology. Part of her degree requirement was class-work with second-year medical students. It was during this time that the Usndeks met. Both graduated in their respective programs in 1944 – she in medical technology, he from the School of Medicine. They married a year later.

Dr. Usndek decided to specialize in dermatology and was accepted into a three-year fellowship at WSU. The first year was performed in Chicago through a collaborative program between the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Northwestern University and what is now Rush University Medical Center. Nine months later, Dr. Usndek was back at WSU for the final two years of the fellowship. After completing his training in 1950, Dr. Usndek went into private practice.

“Dr. Usndek always kept Wayne State University and the School of Medicine close to his heart,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for Medical Affairs. “His interest in the future of our school, our students and medicine will be greatly missed by our School of Medicine family.”

In addition to serving as clinical instructor, assistant professor and associate professor of the Department of Dermatology, he served as chairman of the section of Dermatology for the Michigan State Medical Society.

Dr. Usndek’s death comes nearly one year to the day he, his family and School of Medicine administrators celebrated a commitment of $1.5 million by the doctor and his wife in support of the Usndek Chair in Dermatology.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Susan (James) Kaler, Cathy (Richard) Magreta, Christopher Usndek and Dr. David (Dr. John Carney) Usndek; grandchildren, Veronica Magreta and James Kaler; and his brother, Russell Usndek.

Visitation will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. May 21 and from 10 to 11 a.m. May 22 at the Wasik Funeral Home – Shelby Township, 49150 Schoenherr Road. A service is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 22 at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.