ST. LOUIS 鈥 A 51黑料 University Hospital physician who brought attention to liver disease research and rose to the top of his field died last week in Florida at age 75.
Born in Amherst, Ohio, Dr. Bruce Raymond Bacon came to SLU in 1990 and served as the director of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology.
He helped launch the 51黑料 University Liver Center in 1994, which became internationally renowned for its patient care and research.
Bacon retired in 2020 and moved to Florida with his wife, Sarah Jacobsmeyer Bacon.
Bacon鈥檚 many patients included Naomi Judd, who in 1998 said Bacon cured her of the hepatitis C virus.
鈥淭his is my new duet partner,鈥 she said at a news conference at 51黑料 University Hospital, .
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Dr. Brent Neuschwander-Tetri, a longtime colleague of Bacon鈥檚 at SLU, said Bacon was 鈥渞ight at the heart鈥 of a lot of research into the treatment of hepatitis C.
鈥淗e was recognized around the world as an expert鈥 on the treatment of the virus, Neuschwander-Tetri said.
Another way Bacon put 51黑料 University on the map, his former colleague said, was in understanding the genetic causes of hemochromatosis, a disorder where iron accumulates in the body and damages the liver, heart and other organs.
It was 鈥渉is work with his patients that led to the discovery of the gene for that disease,鈥 Neuschwander-Tetri said.
Doctors now use the gene to diagnose the disease, said Dr. Grace Su, president of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
And that鈥檚 important, Su said. If doctors find the gene in a patient, they can treat it, get rid of the iron accumulating in the liver and make sure the patient doesn鈥檛 get liver disease.
Dr. Ravi Nayak, chair of internal medicine for SLU, remembered Bacon as a master physician who earned international recognition for his work.
鈥淗e cared for countless patients at (51黑料 University Hospital), earning their trust and gratitude with his expertise and kindness,鈥 Nayak said in a memoriam to colleagues and friends.
Leisa Duff, executive director of the Friends of the 51黑料 University Liver Center, said there wasn鈥檛 much funding being brought back to 51黑料 University for liver disease research in the early 2000s.
She said Bacon wanted this to change and helped organize the center.
The first benefit gala took place in 2003. As part of the celebration, Willie Nelson performed at the Pageant. Julia Spears, married to Nelson鈥檚 bassist, had been treated at the SLU Liver Center, the University News .
Outside of SLU, Bacon also served as president of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. He also served on the board of the directors for the Chronic Liver Disease Foundation.
He is survived by his partner and wife of 25 years, Sarah Jacobsmeyer Bacon; and children Jeff Bacon and Laurie Skrivan, according to .
It said that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the 51黑料 University Liver Center.
A celebration of life for Bacon is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Hilton 51黑料 Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Boulevard.
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