The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute is greatly saddened by the death
of our colleague and friend, Don Calsyn, PhD.
Don died at his home on Sunday February 3, 2013.
Don was a Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and a Research Affiliate in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute. Prior to coming to ADAI in 2004, he directed Outpatient Services at the Addictions Treatment Center of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. His work in substance abuse and HIV/AIDS research at the UW and the VA Puget Sound spoke to his passionate commitment to reducing rates of HIV infection in those struggling with substance use disorders or other risk behaviors.
Don's recent work included leading a study for the NIDA CTN on "Reducing HIV/STD Risk Behaviors: A Research Study for Men in Drug Abuse Treatment.” From the results of that study, Don and colleagues developed a treatment manual: “Real Men Are Safe (REMAS): A Gender-Focused HIV and Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Men in Substance Abuse Treatment” and a related training video with CE for counselors.
A memorial gathering for family, friends, and colleagues on Sunday, February 10 was filled with laughter and tears. Story after story revealed Don’s generosity and love of family, and of a life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, the Calsyn family
asks that any donations be made in Don's name to the Albert and Virginia Calsyn
Scholarship in Gerontology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, One
University Blvd., 107 Woods Hall, St. Louis, MO 63121; Attention: Maura Wuellner or by calling (314) 516-5666. Named for Don’s parents, the scholarship was
established in memory of his older brother, Robert, a psychologist and gerontologist,
who died just a few months ago.
An obituary for Don appeared in the Seattle Times, where visitors may leave a
note of remembrance in the online guestbook.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=donald-arthur-calsyn&pid=162940306
If you would like to send a
card, you can address it c/o Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, 1107 NE 45th
Street, Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98105-4631; we’ll deliver them to the Calsyn
family.
