Joseph DiSalvo

Dr. Joseph “Joe” DiSalvo

Beloved husband of Susan DiSalvo. Loving father of Rose (Allan) Slattery, Vito DiSalvo, and Carl (Elizabeth) DiSalvo. Dear grandfather of Michelle, Teresa, Doris, Carolyn, Alexandria, Adriana, Evelyn, and Elliott. Dear great grandfather of Tate, Ethan, Kylee, Audrina, Lelia, Lilianna and AJ. Joe was the son of the late Vito and Rose DiSalvo. Preceded in death by his first wife, Doris DiSalvo and five siblings. Survived by numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Dr. Joe (a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful) began his illustrious career joining the Army in 1956 to 1961 with an honorable discharge. Where he worked at the US Army Medical Technology school in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Academic Achievements:

New York University, 1959-1966, B.A.

Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Science, 1966-1969 with his PhD in Physiology.

Postdoctoral Training at Michigan State from 1969-1970

Assistant Professor 1971-1972 Ball State University, Indiana

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine (1972-1989)Assistant Professor 1972, Associate Professor 1973, Professor of Physiology 1977.

University of Minnesota, Duluth School of Medicine 1989-1997, Edwin Eddy Professor and Head, Department of Physiology.

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Medical SchoolProfessor 1997, Interim Head 1998-2002 Professor Emeritus January 2003

Special Awards:

Burroughs Welcome Visiting Professorship: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1983.

Elected to honorary membership to the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine, 1983.

George Rieveschl Award for Scientific Research, 1987.

Deutscher Akademischer Austaushdienst Fellowship, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 1992.

Dr. Joe authored and co-authored more than 90 technical papers on subject matters concerning smooth muscle and cartilage, biochemical influencers and cardiovascular interactions, and physiological responses. Participated in Grant reviews for various institutions such as National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation and various Pharmaceutical Companies. 

He passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the age of 88. Visitation will be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Liberty Twp., OH 45044, on Thursday August 17, 2023, at 11am until time of Funeral Service at 12 noon. Burial will be held at Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Arcadia, MI on a date to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association.