Message from Andrew H. Murr, M.D., FACS: 

It is with great sadness that I report that Dr. Roger Boles passed away on December 3, 2014.

Dr. Boles became Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco in 1974 and served in that capacity until 1989. He continued to teach and mentor within the department through the 1990’s. Dr. Boles was an expert head and neck oncologic surgeon with specific expertise in parotid surgery. He was the President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the President of the American Board of Otolaryngology, and the President of the Triological Society during his career. Dr. Boles was the son of a physician and grew up in Northern California. He attended Stanford University undergraduate, George Washington University for medical school, and trained in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan. He also served in the United States Army. He began his academic career at the University of Michigan before being recommended by Dr. Walter Work to succeed Dr. Frank Sooy at UCSF. Dr. Boles was preceded in death by his devoted wife of many years, Mariana Boles.

A message from his son, Martin Boles, states in part: 

"Our father loved the practice and teaching of otolaryngology and head & neck surgery at UCSF. His relationships with patients, doctors, residents, students & staff were a joy for him, and an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, some of whom aspire to follow his footsteps in medicine."

Please take a minute and join me in remembering Dr. Roger Boles.

Andrew H. Murr, MD
Professor and Chairman
Roger Boles, MD Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology Education
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
University of California, San Francisco
School of Medicine