In Memoriam: Kevin Bove, MD

Post Date: November 7, 2024 | Publish Date:

clinical

Kevin Bove, MD, a dedicated pathologist and beloved teacher and mentor who gave more than 55 years of service to Cincinnati Children’s, passed away Oct. 25, 2024. He was 89.

Through his final days Bove never retired, becoming the oldest and longest-serving active member of the medical staff. He collaborated until the end with fellow physicians on novel solutions for rare and complex pediatric disorders.

In his career, Bove contributed greatly to the field of pathology. Through constant daily participation in clinical practice reviewing and diagnosing many thousands of cases, he played a significant role in establishing pediatric pathology as a recognized international medical specialty.

He was lead or co-author of more than 220 peer-reviewed papers published in major medical journals, played critical roles in developing effective diagnostics and treatments for Reye’s syndrome and Wilms’ tumor, was elected president of the Society for Pediatric Pathology in 1990 and served tirelessly on numerous committees and editorial boards. He was interim director of the Department of Pathology for four years from 1995-1999. Above all, he valued teaching medical students, interns, residents and fellows, and enjoyed open collaboration and friendship with his colleagues.

“He was a great mentor, friend and passionate pathologist who went way beyond what was expected when contributing to patient care,” said Ranga Ranganathan, MD, division director, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. “He was full of life and innovative ideas at every stage of his career and his zeal and enthusiasm was infectious. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues, friends and family. I have lost a wonderful mentor and adviser.”

As the son of a prominent physician, Bove was surrounded by respect for the practice of medicine and the importance of higher education and science. Three of his mother’s brothers were also MDs. He earned his MD from the University of Buffalo’s medical school, where his father and three uncles had earned theirs. He was president of his medical school class and graduated in 1961. From 1966 to 1968, he served in the Army Medical Corps as a captain and assistant chief, Anatomical Pathology at Walter Reed Hospital.

He joined Cincinnati Children’s in 1968 and thrived, earning admission to the Sigma Chi scientific research honor society in 1966 and a full professorship in Pathology and Pediatrics at UC College of Medicine in 1975. He also served as the chair of the Autopsy Committee for the College of American Pathologists.

In his biography on the Cincinnati Children’s website, he wrote of himself: “Continuing a long history of collaborative clinical research within the Division of Pathology, I focus on pathogenesis of childhood cancers, metabolic disease, liver disease and skeletal muscle disease in children and babies. I never forget a challenging case, and I am always looking for opportunities to improve basic understanding of disease.”

A memorial for Bove will be held Nov. 22 from 2-5 pm in Sabin Auditorium. Read more about him in this profile from September 2023.