Michael J. Hensley, MD
January 8, 1945 - January 27, 2024
Resident of Foster City
Michael J. Hensley, age 79, peacefully departed this life on January 27, 2024, with Deb Scott and their two little dogs by his side. Pediatrician by training, lifelong scientist and pharmaceutical/biotech regulatory expert, gourmet chef, animal lover and soulmate. These are just a few of the areas which exemplified Mike’s life.
Mike came from humble beginnings. He was born into a Navy family stationed in the Bay area during the final days of WWII. Although born in San Francisco, his family roots were deeply embedded in West Virginia; complete with ties to the Hatfields and McCoys, country music with his mother and images of moonshine at his grandfather’s farm. He struggled with school as a child until he figured out that he could beat the system. Having an eidetic memory clearly helped. Although he originally wanted to pursue art, he followed a scientific path. He went to the University of North Carolina but didn’t graduate when an opportunity arose to attend medical school at Bowman Gray (now known as Wake Forest University School of Medicine). He often joked that he made this decision by flipping a coin. Fortunately, he became a physician and positively affected innumerable lives.
Over his lifetime, he worked many venues including a private pediatric practice in Myrtle Beach, SC as well as stint on Capitol Hill (working on the Senate subcommittee for health with Sen. Edward Kennedy). Mike was a staunch believer of social justice. He later migrated to the FDA as a scientific investigator for the Bureau of Scientific Investigation. During this time, he was a key author of the regulations that the pharma industry refers to as Good Clinical Practices (GCP). As many folks in the FDA do, the next step was working in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. While working in this realm, his work ethics and pragmatic approach led to numerous FDA approved products. He was instrumental in the development of several pediatric vaccines and served in executive management positions at companies such as Schering, Chiron, Quintiles and Kanglaite. He also consulted with clients such as Genentech and Novartis.
His career enabled him to travel the world and with that, he developed a keen appreciation for fine wine and good food. Wherever he travelled, he made it a point to collect recipes and talk to chefs who were very willing to share their trade secrets. This led to wonderful dinner parties and special entrees at various potluck functions. He was an amazing storyteller as he recanted his many adventures while overseas. He particularly loved the time he spent in France and Italy.
Retirement was imposed on Mike due to declining health. He made the best of this by spending time with the horses, our little dogs and gardening. The cooking continued too.
Mike leaves behind Deb, her son Daniel Tonello, her stepson Nicholas Zimmerman, his two daughters (Sharon Jones and Lisa Hensley), his three grandchildren (Katherine Jones, Andrew Jones and James Hensley), his sister Michele Hensley, his two nephews (Goel and Moshe Damkani) and his great-nephew (Amitai Damkani). Mike was a kind, soft-spoken, good-hearted soul and is terribly missed by family and friends. A Celebration of Life is planned for later this year. Charitable contributions can be made on his behalf to the Peninsula Humane Society (www.phs-spca.org/donate).