A pioneer in the University of MinnesotaâÄôs neurology department, Dr. Joseph Resch, died February 28. He was 94. According to the University neurology department, Resch played a prominent role in the foundation of vital contemporary neurological institutions. When he first came to the University in 1946, he served a two-year neurological residency. Soon after his arrival, he pointed out to then-chair of the neurology department, Dr. A.B. Baker , that neurology students didnâÄôt have an external resource for continuing their education outside of the University. This complaint led to the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology in 1948, which saluted Resch during its 60th anniversary celebration in March 2008. Resch served as a board member for the academy in the 1970s and helped keep its national headquarters in St. Paul. The AAN is now an international professional association with 21,000 members, 127 staff members and a $30 million operating budget. After co-founding the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry in 1955, Resch joined the University of Minnesota full time as a neurology professor in 1962, later going on to become the departmentâÄôs second head in 1976. He also served as assistant vice president of Health Sciences for over a decade until his retirement in 1982. A native of Milwaukee, Resch graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1938. He served as a flight surgeon in the Army Air Corp s, according to a written statement from his family. After his World War II service, he began his residency at the University, after which he divided his time between teaching at the University and private practice. Resch is survived by two daughters, one son, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, according to the written statement by the family.