Dr. Durant, who was assistant general director of Massachusetts General Hospital, became a prominent and well-loved figure in the international aid community for helping to provide medical assistance to war-torn and disease-stricken nations such as Cambodia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, Iraq, Somalia and Bosnia. He was honored for his service by the United Nations in 1995 as part of its 50th anniversary with the World Humanitarian Award.
Boston College presented Dr. Durant with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at Commencement last spring. Dr. Durant "radiates the splendor of the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Sermon on the Mount," read the degree citation, which proclaimed the University's "profound admiration for a just and righteous son's inspiring imitation of Christ the Healer."
Dr. Durant is survived by his wife, Fredericka, and sons Stephen, Joseph and Sean.
-Sean Smith