Dr. Bryan

MADISON
Dr. George T. (Terry) Bryan passed away on July 10, 2017 after a long period of declining health. He was born in Antigo, WI on July 29, 1932 to Mildred (Bemis) and Josie Bryan, the eldest of three. As a boy during the depression, his paper route money helped support the family and that experience resonated with him the rest of his life. He worked hard as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin to get into medical school and attained both an M.D. and PhD. At UW, he attended a party where he met the vivacious Mary Gladys Linthicum, a coed from High Point, North Carolina. Their personalities complemented each other: he was quiet with a gentle sense of humor, she was gregarious and warm. He sang, she danced. They married.

As a Professor of Clinical Oncology, Terry's focus was bladder cancer research. He was a primary investigator in rodent trials that led to the banning of cyclamates as an artificial sweetener in 1969. He was interviewed by CBS anchor, Walter Cronkite and was a featured guest on the television show, 'What's My Line?' Additionally, he helped design and implement a wide variety of studies locally, nationally, and internationally. He became the Director of the Wisconsin General Clinical Research Center in 1987. During his tenure at UW, he published more than 300 papers. His family was fortunate to play host to researchers and their families from England, Japan, Turkey and other countries and all his children had opportunities to travel or study abroad. Terry took pride in helping others and served on major national and international review committees, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization. In 2005, he was given the Citation Award by the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association. He bounded up the steps to accept the award with the energy of a man 20 years younger. After his retirement, he was a member of the Executive Committee providing leadership for the continued development of the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center. Terry also continued to serve as an adviser and mentor to other researchers.

For many years Terry served on the 44th General Field Hospital Reserve Unit of the Wisconsin National Guard and retired from service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He joked that most of the time he was called on to administer a band-aid on a finger.

Together, Terry and Mary raised five children: Mary Beth, Kathryn, George (Patricia), Joe, and Amy. Many summer vacations were spent visiting Mary's family in North Carolina. A favorite memory is that of leaving their wedding reception after her brothers put stones in the hubcaps and chased them down the road for a couple of miles. Those who were lucky to call him 'friend' knew him as a gracious, kind, and thoughtful man. He had an infectious laugh and enjoyed watching and listening to comedy. Fawlty Towers and Monty Python's Flying Circus were favorite shows. He was an accomplished musician and played trumpet for the UW Marching Band in the 1953 Rose Bowl Parade and football game.

One of his favorite pastimes was playing a game with his family gathered around the dinner table called "I see something". One member would answer questions from the others (while trying to avoid looking at the actual object they were describing) until the "winner" figured out what the object was and thus get a turn trying to stump the other family members. One of the saddest experiences was losing Mary to cancer in 1984.

Terry married Sandra Schwartz in 1985 and spent many happy years traveling, visiting friends and family, and living part of the year in Palm Desert, CA. Terry's stepsons are Steve (Doris) and David (Tina).

Terry loved his children and took delight in encouraging them to be their best whether it was music, sports, art and, especially, intellectual pursuits and education. He was an avid reader: science, American history, Lincoln, and fiction.

Terry has ten grandchildren: Benjamin, Christopher and Lindsay Bryan, Cory, Kayla and Renee Bryan, Marisa and Breana Patwa, Estee and Drew Schwartz, and Anna (Jason) Shurak and Alison (Adam) VanEperen. Five great grandchildren include: Tova and Mazzi Shurak, Henry and Bode VanEperen, and Sansa Roll. Terry is survived by his wife, Sandra, his sister, Marilyn, and brother, James (Bonnie), and a large, extended family. He is deeply missed.

Those wishing to make a donation in honor of Terry can do so by donating to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.

A Celebration of Terry's Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison. Family will greet friends one hour prior to service. A luncheon will follow.

A full obituary will follow.

Please share your memories of Terry.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434