Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Alan Scott, M.D.
Obituary
Dr. Alan B. Scott died on December 16, 2021, with his wife Jackie Lehmer and two of his daughters by his side. The cause of death was complications from sepsis. He was 89.
Early in his medical career, Alan conducted research on the botulinum toxin and its effect on muscles around the eye. Dr. Scott founded a company called Oculinum to produce a drug by the same name. In 1991 the pharmaceutical company Allergan purchased Dr. Scott’s innovation and renamed it Botox. He was well respected by the international medical community.
In his free time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Jackie and cooking for family and friends. He was a voracious reader and connoisseur of fine wines. Alan had a sense of humor that livened up any conversation. He shared his knowledge graciously with his colleagues. His dance moves energized family gatherings.
Alan is survived by his wife Jackie Lehmer and his extended family. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth Scott.
A tribute service will be held on March 19, 2022. Details and registration can be found below. His family, friends and colleagues loved him and he will be greatly missed.
Prominent publications covering Dr. Scott’s life:
- The New York Times: Alan Scott, Doctor Behind the Medical Use of Botox, Dies at 89
- The Washington Post: Alan Scott, researcher who pioneered medical uses of Botox, dies at 89
- NPR: Alan Scott, the doctor credited with developing Botox for medicine, dies at 89
- The Scientist: Ophthamologist Alan Scott Dies at Age 89
- Healio: Alan B. Scott, MD, inventor of Botox, dies
- Journal of AAPOS: In Memoriam, Alan B. Scott, MD
Dr. Alan Scott Tribute Service &
Online Reception
Recorded Saturday, March 19, 2022
The CPMC Department of Ophthalmology, Pacific Vision Foundation, our partners at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and the Scott family invite you to view the virtual tribute service & reception honoring Dr. Alan Scott.
Brought to you by:
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
Goodness of God - David Sheets Memorial Choir
This song embodies the way David Sheets lived his life. In every situation, no matter the difficulty, he would proclaim God’s goodness.
David Sheets lived a life devoted to Jesus. He spent the majority of his career as a music minister & choir director in churches around the US. The Sheets family put out a call for anyone who had served with David to join a virtual choir in his honor. What you see here is just a small picture of his legacy impact on the Kingdom of God. We pray this song blesses you and encourages you today.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
Dr. Alan Scott Tribute Fund
Honoring his legacy in ophthalmology, research, education and care for all
The Dr. Alan Scott Tribute Fund was created to honor his many outstanding contributions to ophthalmology. Dr. Scott dedicated his professional life to improving people’s vision through patient care, teaching, and research. A longtime supporter of the San Francisco-based Pacific Vision Foundation, the Dr. Alan Scott Tribute Fund will sustain his memory by supporting excellence in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus education and patient care.
Dr. Scott was on my heart today…11/10/23. He was a family friend, and my favorite physician because he was kind, patient, introspective, and funny & serious at the same time. I met him at 11 years of age, and by that time he was already good friends with my parents, Dr. & Mrs. Washington Burns. Dad worked at PMC – later renamed CMPC for 37 years. Dr. Scott was family. He took care of my eyes, myopia and traumatic strabismus, and gave me a special nod and wink when he discovered I was color blind – not common for a female. Dad, affectionately known as “Bob” to his family and friends, (no…Robert was not his middle name, just Bob came from being simpler…) and Paula my Mom absolutely loved and respected Dr. Scott.
I loved his kid exam chair, that I first sat in when his office was on Cherry Street in S.F. Dr. Scott helped me not drop out of Cal when I had suffered a traumatic brain injury, that left me with a strabismus…and memory loss…horrific and painful. While I passed on the injection option into the eye muscle, he gave me a new Rx for magnifiers, and another for regular glasses that he had an Rx to have a prism ground into to the lens…it gently fixed the muscle damage from my TBI…and he once again became my hero.
Missing Dad & Dr. Scott today…buddies they were, and I am so very grateful to have taken Dad to see Dr. Scott at CPMC before he passed, to say hello when Dr. Scott was working part time, after Dad’s eye appointment with Dr. Danny Lin…another great ophthalmologist, and former student of Dr. Scott.…what a welcome Dr. Scott gave us, me a huge hug & kiss on the cheek…not something he ever did, and to see those two old pals chop it up again was precious…
I hope these two PMC original Stone Ponies are together again…lost Dad 12/26/22…Dad, you made clinical anatomical pathology great at CPMC, and made stopping by for a visit even more special because I always stopped by 2100 Webster St., #220 to see Dr. Scott…and back in the day, bumping into one of his daughters who drove the Humphrey Go BART when she also attended Cal…just great memories.
i loved my Father so much. thank-u patricia for the anecdote about his help to u when carter was sick. Altho many worldwide remember my mother as his nemesis & felt it was her due for them to be together as octogenarians…her body had gotten to the point she told me ; “heidi, i’m done living’ Her enthousiam & wonderful spirit made him into a great doctor. A happier person. So now/able to do little & unarmed i say what u told me. Nothing will ever replace my affection for & devotion to your mother ; Ruthie Lorraine White. If ur up thar W/ Armstrong….believe me i am winking . Heidi
I am Pat Collins
…..and a friend of the Scott family for sixty years.
The loss of
Allan Scott has been a BLOW to ALL of us.
I would like to
reflect back to those of us who knew him and his family
from EARLY DAYS…..
when the Institute held only the name and support of
Jack Smith…..BEFORE the colorful KETTLEWELLS appeared.
We were all young, hungry and eager. Excited to be alive.
My biophysicist husband
Carter Collins joined Art and Alan to CREATE THE FUTURE.
Their COLLECTIVE BRILLIANCE was dazzling and
SIXTY YEARS AGO.
We are hearing of the
fabulous evolution of the accomplishments , singular
and combined, of ALL THAT WORK!
All THAT WORK was also combined with the connections
and friendships of the team…..professional and domestic.
Sacrifice and satisfaction combined in the ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
As was the SUPPORTIVE PRACTICE:
the men did great things while their
wives COMMANDED THE HOME FRONT: …….,
significantly freeing our husbands to successfully pursue their important , evolving missions and professional lives.
.
It was from that family perch that
I observed and knew Alan Scott and his marvelous HUMANITY.
With all the accolades I want to underline HIS down to earth
humble, practical side….a characteristic that complimented
and furthered everything
he touched……It enhanced every connection.
THOUGH Alan and I were born in the same year…I somehow never
considered that we could lose him. Such a JOLT! Couldn’t be!
Didn’t I just see him riding his
bicycle?
Over the years, it was Alan to whom I turned for advice and help.
When my husband had a massive coronary…..Alan was there in
a FLASH! He called, connected and took care of us in the practical
ways. NO fuss…. he JUST quietly DID IT.
He even brought us rosemary from their garden ON THE SHOVEL….
and planted it in ours……where it still grows. SO ALAN!
The world does and should focus on his ASTONISHING academic, scientific skills!
……..but one remembers also his
EASY GRACE,
A master at meaningful conversation,
Could build a house, a garden, a fire, work on a ranch,
Stride miles through rugged country on foot or skis.
Aid in a roadside crash
Step out on the dance floor
Build a harpsichord
Play with his fellow musicians,
pour the concrete, lay some tile….
Beyond his remarkable scientific life…he seemed to know everything!
.
Alan Scott was the capable, practical, can-do-westerner
and CULTURED, CULTIVATED AND COMPLETE RENAISSANCE MAN.
A STAR TO STARDUST…..
We will not soon see his like again.
Such good memories of Alan and his family as I look at the wonderful photo album. Thank you Dr Scott whom I never dared to call Alan in my lifetime because I had such respect!