SCRIGNAR, Chester Bruno

Dr. Chester Bruno Scrignar, 72, Forensic Psychiatrist died at home on May 24, 2007, at age 72. Born in Villa Park, IL, he was the son of Mary Quarina Scrignar and Elio Alberto Scrignar. Raised in Phoenix, AZ, he graduated from Arizona State University and Tulane University School of Medicine with a residency in psychiatry. Dr. Scrignar was in the private practice of psychiatry as well as a Clinical Professor of psychiatry and neurology at Tulane University School of Medicine; an Adjunct Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Law; Adjunct Professor, Tulane School of Social Work; Adjunct Professor at Xavier University, School of Pharmacy. He was a pioneer in behavior therapy and posttraumatic stress disorder and enjoyed teaching psychiatric residents, law students, social work students, and pharmacy students. He was the author of four books and over 50 articles in scientific journals and newsletters. He had been a member of the American Medical Association, Louisiana State Medical Society, Orleans Parish Medical Society, Louisiana Medical and Psychiatric Association, American College of Forensic Psychiatry, New Orleans Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and the Behavior Therapy Society. Dr. Scrignar was appointed as director of the Louisiana Narcotics Rehabilitation program by Gov. John McKeithen; Chairman of the New Orleans Action Task Force on Juvenile Delinquency Prevention by appointment of Mayor Moon Landrieu; Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association; Cochairman of the subcommittee on Dangerous Drugs of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice; Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court; and a consultant to the New Orleans Police Department. A special lectureship in his name in the field of forensic psychiatry was established at Tulane University School of Medicine. He recently worked on an oral history of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology recording a series of video interviews with past and current members of the department faculty. Dr. Scrignar is survived by his wife, Mary Angell Scrignar; sisters Doris Scrignar and Diana Scrignar Sumner and brother, Albert Scrignar all of Phoenix, AZ; nieces Laurie Murtagh, Dee Moody, Sarah Scrignar Marques; nephews Michael Sumner, Aaron Scrignar, Walter Bentz and grandnieces Kelly, Katherine, Chandler, and Kate and grandnephews Jeffrey, Brad, Trey, Cole and Elyo. Services were held. Arrangements by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tulane Department of Psychiatry and Neurology "The Chester Bruno Scrignar Lecture in Forensic Psychiatry." To sign and view the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/1/2007.