Edwin W. Haller, Ph.D.
1936 - 2007

Inspiration for the Edwin W. Haller Scholarship Fund

"Early on, I learned that life is precious, that time moves only forward, that history making is our daily act. Therefore, my goal has always been to reach out to others and to seek ways of understanding others, because peace is one of our most precious gifts.”  - Edwin W. Haller

Originally from Stuttgart, Germany, in 1971, Edwin Haller, Ph.D. came to Duluth as a professor of physiology to help make the new Medical School Duluth a reality. His research interests included neuroendocrine function of the pituitary gland and regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. In addition to teaching and research, his career accomplishments included many publications and books. Those who were fortunate to have worked with Ed over his many years as a faculty member, remember the unique contributions he made to the Medical School and to the City of Duluth. He encouraged and supported the development of the Medical School’s Native American physician-education program, now called the Center of American Indian and Minority Health, which has become among the preeminent programs in the country. Arne Vainio, M.D., an alumnus of the Duluth Medical School now practicing on the Fond du Lac Reservation, was one of the students inspired by Dr. Haller. Dr. Vainio wrote a special tribute to Ed which he also read at the celebration of life

Among the four books he co-wrote were: Two Cultures Meet: Pathways for American Indians to Medicine (with Larry Aitken) and Searching, Teaching, Healing: American Indians and Alaska Natives in Biomedical Research (with the late Ruth Myers). Together with Ruth Myers he co-directed the educational organization that eventually became known as the Center of American Indian and Minority Health (1988-1992). Dr. Haller was a founder as well as Director of Animal Services at the Medical School Duluth (1973-1977); Associate Director of Graduate Studies in Physiology (1987-2001); council member and consultant for the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC;1978-2007). He was also on the National Science Foundation Research Grant Review Panel in Regulatory Neurobiology (1979-2001).

Dr. Haller was instrumental in the development of a medical exchange program between Duluth and its sister city, Petrozavodsk, Russia. The program included student and physician exchanges as well as delivery of medical humanitarian aid to the Petrozavodsk medical community. In 2001, he was appointed to the Duluth Sister Cities Commission (currently the Duluth Sister Cities International), and served first as chair of the Petrozavodsk Committee and then as the President In recognition of his contributions to promoting people-to-people understanding worldwide, the Duluth Sister Cities International nominated Ed for the National Award for Citizen Diplomacy in November of 2007.

From his obituary:  Ed did not like to talk about himself, but was a good listener and made others comfortable in his company. He welcomed a challenge and often challenged others to reach their highest potential, not to be satisfied with the ordinary.