By Mary Fan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 29, 1997

Renowned UA neurologist, professor dies at 45

Arizona Daily Wildcat William M. Feinberg "He was a wonderful volunteer, he did lots of community education programs for us." -Nancy Metzger, former Old Pueblo board chairman

William M. Feinberg, a UA neurology professor and nationally renown neurologist, died Friday of a sudden heart attack. He was 45.

A national leader in stroke and stroke prevention research, Feinberg focused on studying how having atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat, can trigger strokes.

He also helped uncover stroke-prevention properties in aspirin and another drug, Courmadine. He demonstrated the effectiveness of the drug TPA in reversing stroke damage in patients if used within a few hours after stroke strikes.

His most recent study examined possible stroke-prevention properties of vitamins B-6 and B-12 and folic acid.

"This is a major tragedy for the medical school. Bill Feinberg was an internationally and nationally known expert on strokes," said Joseph Alpert, head of the department of medicine.

"His loss will be felt by medical students, residents and faculty," he added.

Alpert added he would also miss Feinberg's warmth and honesty.

"Bill Feinberg was one of those rare people in whom intelligence, warmth and caring were delicately balanced. I will always miss his wise counsel and his friendship," he said.

Feinberg was a member of the American Heart Association Stroke Council Committee and the Program Committee for the AHA Joint Conference on Stroke and Cerebral Circulation.

He was also the President of the Old Pueblo division of the American Heart Association, an organization for which he volunteered a lot of time.

Nancy Metzger, former Old Pueblo board chairman, described Feinberg as a dedicated and thoughtful volunteer.

"He was a wonderful volunteer, he did lots of community education programs for us. I think he was really committed to improving cardiovascular health in our community," she said.

"We loved him a lot and we're going to miss him," she added.

Feinberg joined the University of Arizona as a faculty member in 1985 and was a stroke research laboratory director, medical director of the Neurology Clinic and chief of staff-elect at University Medical Center. He was also on the board of directors of University Physician's Incorporated.

Before becoming a faculty member he completed residencies in internal medicine and neurology at the UA College of Medicine after graduating from Stanford University and attending medical school at the University of California, San Francisco.

Feinberg is survived by his wife Lois Loescher; and two children Max, 6, and Hope, 4.

A public funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, Oct. 31, in the Duval Auditorium of the Arizona Health Sciences Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave.

Donations in his name may be sent to the University of Arizona Foundation, Stroke Research, Office of Development, Box 2450-046, Tucson, AZ., 85724.