Family Battles UT Medical School For Man’s Remains
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Family Battles UT Medical School For Man’s Remains
Relatives of a World War II veteran who donated his body to medical science are in a battle with the UT Medical Branch over the man’s remains.
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(June 2, 2008)--Years after the death of New Braunfels man donated his body to science, the man’s family is fighting with a medical school for the remains still left.

The family of Rolia Whitinger wants to bury the World War II veteran in San Antonio, but the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston says it will return his remains only if the family agrees to have them cremated.

State Anatomical Board rules require cremation of the body parts.

Rolia Whitinger died in 2001 at the age of 85.

He had donated his body for medical research.

His family was among those who requested the remains after the body was used for scientific research or teaching.

The school informed the Whitingers in June 2002 that Rolia Whitinger's ashes would be arriving soon, but the following month, the school sent a letter saying it wouldn't be sending the ashes after all.

UT Medical Branch officials had discovered the ashes of 78 donors had been commingled.

Last year, the family learned from UT Medical Branch officials that they'd found Rolia Whitinger's head, shoulders, arms and knees.

His widow Annabelle Whitinger said she wonders why UT Medical Branch took so long to discover the remains and tell the family about them.

The family is adamant about preserving the body parts, in case more are found.

Latest Comments

Posted by: victor on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:27 PM

The Family would have taken the ashes when research was complete but then they were told there were no remains because they were comingled, then they told them they had parts and now they want the family to stop voiceing that UTMB had done wrong or they won't get those parts, and not allowing family to do a DNA test on the remains .That sounds like UTMB wants to see the family suffer, why should the family keep silent? I think it is good to know that body parts are being sold so people can be aware that UTMB is not concerned with the diginity and rights of the dead. The contract does not indicate that the body will be sold, it is donated for research.Those that donate understand what is on the contract but when somthing like this happens who else is left to let the public know but the family members of the dead?
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Posted by: James Location: Belton on Jun 2, 2008 at 12:29 PM

I think it's nice of UTMB to return the remains. The way it's written family sounds angry that some parts are missing. The Vet donated his body to science, regardless of what the family wants.
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