CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Vernon Ingram, husband of Beth Hendee Ingram and an MIT biology professor known as the "father of molecular medicine," died Aug. 17. A memorial service will be held Sept. 10th on the M.I.T. Campus. Ingram was best known for his discovery, during the 1950s, that a single amino acid substitution is responsible for the molecular abnormality that leads to sickle cell anemia. The find was "one of the absolutely seminal discoveries in the history of molecular biology," said Graham Walker, MIT professor of biology. Walker, who was Ingram's friend and colleague for 30 years, said that Ingram was "one of the greatest men I have met in my life. An extraordinary scientist, a true intellect, and an absolutely wonderful human being." In recent years, Ingram focused his research on neuroscience, especially Alzheimer's disease. Though in his 80s, he still ran a small laboratory at MIT and was constantly pursuing new research, Walker said. Ingram and his wife, Beth, served as housemasters at Ashdown House, an international graduate dorm from 1985 until a few years ago. "They were just extraordinarily dedicated to their students," Walker said. Ingram was born in Breslau, Germany, in 1924. He studied at Birkbeck College at the University of London, earning his B.Sc. in chemistry in 1945 and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1949. In 1961, Birkbeck College awarded him the D.Sc. degree. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2002. Ingram joined the MIT faculty in 1958 and was one of a distinguished group of professors who started a world-renowned center for the study of molecular and cell biology. He enjoyed art, music and photography, and he and Beth were very involved with the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Ingram is survived by his wife; a son, Peter; and a daughter, Jennifer. Condolence cards may be sent to MIT Department of Biology, Attn: Mary Markel Murphy, Bldg. 68-132, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Augusta Chronicle-September 7, 2006