Obituary: M. Donald Whorton ‘65

30Jan08 – M. Donald Whorton, an internationally-recognized occupational health physician and workplace epidemiologist, died on January 27, 2008 at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, California from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Whorton was 65 years old.

Born on January 25, 1943 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Rachel Siegal Whorton and Romayne "****" Whorton, Whorton spent his childhood working in the family grocery store and playing school sports.

After graduating from Robinson High School in 1961, Whorton attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland for one year before returning to Las Vegas and enrolling in Highlands University.

Whorton graduated with honors and as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine's first graduating class in 1968. Whorton went on to receive his master's degree in public health with a focus in environmental medicine from Johns Hopkins University. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Harvard Medical Service Boston City Hospital and his residency in internal medicine at Baltimore City Hospital. He was board certified in occupational and internal medicine, an elected member of the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology and of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Whorton advanced the field of occupational medicine through epidemiological studies that led to a greater understanding of workplace exposure. Notably, discovered the link between workplace exposure to the nematocide DBCP and male infertility. Whorton was the founding director of the University of California at Berkeley's Labor and Occupational Health Program (LOHP), and in 1978

Whorton joined Environmental Health Associates, Inc. (EHA), an occupational and environmental consulting company. When EHA was acquired by ENSR Consulting and Engineering in 1988, Whorton continued on in his capacity as Vice President for six years until he started his own, private consulting firm, M. Donald Whorton, M.D., Inc. In 2001 Whorton merged his firm with WorkCare, Inc. and established WorkCare North based in Alameda, where he served as the Executive Vice President until his death.

Whorton lived in the Oakland hills with his wife for over thirty years and was an active member in the community. He began a 21-year-long involvement with the local youth soccer leagues in 1985 as the coach of his son's team. After coaching, Whorton served as the Equipment Manager for Montclair Soccer Club and later as the club President. Whorton continued his contribution to youth soccer as the President of the Jack London Youth Soccer League, the Secretary for District 4 and the Secretary for the California Youth Soccer Association.

Whorton is survived by his wife, Diana Obrinsky; his children Matthew, Laura and Julie; his brothers Jerry, Bob and David; his uncle Art Siegal; his cousins Seth Siegal and Marilyn Chotem; five nieces and nephews; and four grandnieces and grandnephews.

There will be a memorial service to honor and celebrate Whorton's life at 11:30AM on Saturday, February 2 at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Regional Park.