Norfolk —Gerald Sanford Borman, 87, passed away on Thursday, June 8.
He was born on September 22, 1929 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to the late Samuel and Dora Borman. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsa, and survived by his brother, Yehoshua Bar-on, his three sons, Reuben, Benjamin, and Peretz, and grandchildren Rachael, Madison, and Samuel.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Gerald attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, receiving a V.M.D. in 1956. After working for a year as a veterinarian, he obtained a master’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Wisconsin. He embarked on a career of research into animal-based viruses with applicability to human medical science, starting with a position at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., where he contributed to research using animal models to evaluate the safety of polio vaccines. He was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship in microbiology at Johns Hopkins University, followed by a series of research and teaching positions including assistant professor of Microbiology at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry in Jersey City, N.J.; associate professor of biology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va; hospital veterinarian at the New England Hospital in Boston, Mass.; and assistant professor at the Tufts School of Medicine. In 1976, Dr. Borman joined the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine in Norfolk as assistant professor of Microbiology and veterinarian in charge of research animal facilities. His accomplishments included the design of a major expansion of those facilities. Dr. Borman retired from EVMS in 1991.
Dr. Borman was a devoted husband to his beloved wife of 56 years, Elsa, and virtually never left her side after she suffered a stroke. He was also a devoted and generous father. In his youth, Dr. Borman played the violin, and he passed along his love of classical music to his three sons. He also demonstrated by example the values of study, hard work, and dedication to career and family.
A graveside service took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.