ASET In Memoriam

Charles Berkins

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1948 – 2026

Charles “Chuck” Berkins passed away on August 4, 2026, at age 78. His family is proud that such a significant part of his life’s work was spent serving the neurodiagnostic community and the people whose work Rochester Electro-Medical helped support.

Jim Lewis

R. EEG T.

R.NCS.T.

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1960 – 2026

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Jim Lewis, a true pioneer and influential figure in the field of electrodiagnostic medicine. Jim’s departure leaves a significant void, but his contributions and impact will resonate for generations to come.

David B. MacDonald

MD

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1958 – 2026

It is with profound sadness that we remember Dr. David MacDonald, a leading figure in the field of intraoperative neurophysiology. His passing represents a significant loss to our community and the broader medical world.

Vivian Porter Hutto

Ph.D., R. EEG T.

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1931 – 2026

It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Vivian Porter Hutto, a true pioneer and cherished member of the neurodiagnostic community. Her dedication to the field, her passion for education, and her remarkable intellect will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Jack Kartush

M.D.

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1952 – 2025

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Jack Kartush, a visionary physician, pioneering inventor, dedicated educator, and accomplished musician, on June 22nd, 2025 at the age of 72.

Michael Young

BA

Dipl.T. R.E.T

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1944 – 2025

With deep sadness, ASET announces the passing of Michael Rhiannon Young, a pioneer in the field of neurodiagnostics and a cherished member of our community. Michael passed away leaving behind a legacy of technical excellence, mentorship, and historical preservation that continues to resonate across the profession.

Brian Markley

R. EEG/EP T.

R.NCS.T.

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1952 – 2024

Brian Markley was serving a term as a member of the Board of Directors of the ASET Foundation at the time of his passing on August 30th, 2024, after his courageous battle with cancer. Brian’s friends, colleagues, and patients greatly appreciated his gentle smile, soft voice, and infectious laughter. He was an inspiring example of servant leadership and will be missed by all who knew him.

Carol Bonar

The Lady Behind the Camera

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1938 – 2022

“The Lady Behind the Camera” is so fitting for this tribute to an individual who had no agenda; she was simply passionate about preserving the moments which allowed her to mingle with fellow ASET members at conferences.

Charles Yingling

Ph.D.

CNIM

D.ABNM

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2021

It is with great sadness that we lost a leading pioneer in intraoperative neuromonitoring, Dr. Charles (Chuck) Yingling. Dr. Yingling’s achievements and accomplishments are vast, yet he always found time to give back to every individual by answering phone calls for any IONM/EEG professional needing guidance on an IONM technique.

Robert G. Ford

M.D.

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1933 – 2019

On August 3, 2019, the EEG community lost a dear friend and mentor. Dr. Robert G. Ford started working in the department of Neurology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 1969, following a residency in EEG with Donald Klass, M.D., at the Mayo Clinic. In addition to being a skilled practitioner of EEG and EMG, he served as a beloved instructor for neurology residents and neurodiagnostic technologists.

Kathleen McPeck Principe

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

CNIM

CLTM

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2013

Throughout all of her career positions Kathleen has been a leader in her field striving for excellence and to progress the field Neurodiagnostic Technology. She has always loved to teach and has mentored dozens of students over the past nearly40 years. She held the highest standards and never compromised.

Theda Sannit

R. EEG T.

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1920 – 2013

The Neurodiagnostic community has lost one of its leaders, Theda Sannit. Theda was a pioneer in EEG and made critical contributions such as helping to develop the International 10-20 System, but she was first and foremost a dedicated teacher and mentor.

Ernst F. L. Niedermeyer

M.D.

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1920 – 2012

The world-wide neurodiagnostic community lost another of our giants when Dr. Ernst Niedermeyer died this past April after a couple of years of failing health. He was known not only as an outstanding scholar and clinician, but also, he was a regular feature of ASET meetings, mingling very easily with technologists of all levels.

Gary March

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

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1954 – 2011

As a neurodiagnostic professional- Gary was always teaching. Whether the basics of electrophysiology or basic anatomy and physiology, it didn’t matter as long as he was imparting the information. Fluid in his presentation and captivating his audience, Gary knew exactly what he wanted to teach and would not leave until everyone had a firm understanding of the subject he was talking about.

Lewis L. Kull

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

CLTM

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2009

North American clinical neurophysiology has been dealt a distressing blow with the passing of Lewis L. Kull. We have lost an outstanding teacher, investigator, scholar, mentor, and colleague.

Nina Kagawa

R. EEG T.

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1927 – 2007

Nina Kagawa was a groundbreaking figure in the field of neurodiagnostic technology, leaving an enduring legacy through her dedication to clinical excellence, professional development, and collaborative research.

Linda Moore

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

CNIM

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1957 – 2005

Linda was considered a foremost authority in evoked potentials and intraoperative monitoring. She was a superb and sought-after podium presenter. Many ASET members have shared their personal stories abou thow Linda affected their careers and what a great teacher she had been for them.

Peter Kellaway

Ph.D.

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1920 – 2003

Dr. Kellaway was a renowned clinical neurophysiologist and a leader in the establishment of ASET. A professor of Neurology and Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, he was a practicing clinical neurophysiologist for almost 60 years. He made pioneering contributions to the understanding of the electroencephalogram in children, as well as to the application of electro-encephalography in the management of childhood epilepsy.

Ellen R. Grass

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2001

Mrs. Ellen Robinson Grass, died peacefully in her sleep at her home on June 14, 2001. A force in the field of epilepsy, Ellen influenced the careers of many people. She was a pioneer in the development of the EEG as a tool for diagnosing and localizing seizures, promoting young investigators with exciting new ideas, while she focused on improving the lives of all people afflicted with epilepsy.

Sharon Franklin

R. EEG T.

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1997

Sharon O’Donnell Franklin, who died suddenly on April 22, 1997, is missed by all who knew and worked with her. Her Irish knack for storytelling is legendary, and ASET members owe Sharon a huge debt of gratitude for her stewardship of their journal.

John Archibald

M.A.

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

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1996

John Archibald was a committed educator in the neurodiagnostic field prior to his death in 1995 from metastatic brain cancer. John loved doing the technical and research part of EEG, but anyone who knew him, knew his first love was teaching others what he had learned.

Kathleen Mears

R. EEG T.

R. EP T.

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1995

Kathy Mears was a true professional. Just look at the meaning of the word professional in the dictionary. A professional is someone who engages in, or is worthy of, high standards; offers instruction in a profession; a person who does something with great skill. Kathy exemplified the term professional.

John R. Knott

Ph.D.

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1993

Because J John Knott may be physically gone from us but all of us with whom he worked during his more than 50 years in EEG and neurophysiology will always be aware of his spirit present, urging us to use our minds and settle for nothing less than excellence.

Albert Melvin Grass

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1910 – 1992

When the phone rang on May 29th to convey the news of the death of Albert Grass, its ring also signaled the end of an era for ASET members. The professional career of this seemingly indomitable man quite literally encompassed the lifetime of electroencephalography.

Frederic A. Gibbs

M.D.

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1903 – 1992

On October 17, 1992, electroencephalographers lost the “Father of Clinical EEG.” Frederic Gibbs did not care about such a title, given to him by many of his colleagues; he cared only about discovering relationships between distinctive EEG patterns and their associated clinical conditions.

Erna Leonhardt Gibbs

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1906 – 1987

Erna L. Gibbs, a pioneer in the world of EEG technology and brain re­ search, passed away at her home on July 23, 1987. She was 81. The former Erna Leonhardt emigrated to this country from Germany in 1928. She worked at Harvard University under Dr. William Lennox, the father of epilepsy research. On December 16, 1930, she married Dr. Frederic A. Gibbs.