Creighton A. Hardin, M.D., 84, passed away Friday, April 18, 2003. At Dr. Hardin's request, there will be no services. Private interment will be May 3, 2003, in Neosho, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Kansas University Endowment Professorship for Vascular Surgery, KU Endowment Office, Mailstop 3012, 3901 Rainbow, Kansas City, KS 66160.
Dr. Hardin was born July 20, 1918, in Clinton, NC. He attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI, from 1940-43. Internship was at the United States Marine Hospital, New York City, NY, from 1943-44. Residency was at Mansfield General Hospital, Mansfield, OH, 1944-45; University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1947-48; University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 1948-52. From 1945-47, Dr. Hardin was a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps, where he served in the European and African Theaters during WWII.
He received Board Certifications in General Surgery and in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 1953, and began his 42-year career as Professor of Surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center. His Academic Appointments included Professor of General Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Plastic Surgery; Chief of Vascular and General Surgery; Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Hardin's Academic Recognitions included International recognition as the first Vascular Surgeon in the world to perform a successful abdominal aneurysm repair in man, 1952; the first Surgeon to perform successful kidney transplant in man in the Midwestern States, 1952; the first Surgeon to perform reattachment of a completely severed upper arm in the world, with return of function, 1971; he co-authored the definition of brain death, Kansas Statute, so human organs could become available for transplantation, 1973; appointed Professor Emeritus of Surgery, 1994; appointed Honorary Medical Alumnus, 2001. Dr. Hardin published 134 scientific articles and belonged to 21 regional and national societies, including the Society of University Surgeons, the American Surgical Association, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the International Cardiovascular Society, and Alpha Omega Alpha.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and his adult children, Mary O'Brien and her husband, Ron, Creighton A. Hardin Jr. and his wife, Shelley, Daniel Hardin, and six grandchildren and by his adult stepchildren, Linda Emmons, Karen Monnahan, Janet Shumway and her husband, Mike, six stepgrandchildren, and one stepgreat-grandson. Two of Mrs. Hardin's grandchildren, Jesse Gray and Sharon Gray, made their home with the Hardins for a number of years.
A fellow Vascular Surgeon paid tribute to Dr. Hardin, stating that he was one of the most innovative pioneers in Vascular Surgery and one of the great warriors for American Surgery.

The Kansas City Star
Edition: METROPOLITAN
Page: B5
Kansas City, Missouri
Sunday, April 27, 2003