Posted on April 9, 2004 at 4:05 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Dan Eagar, President and CEO of UAB Medical West in Bessemer, died today of natural causes. He was 60. Eager spent virtually his entire career working in the health care field, beginning as an administrative assistant at Memorial Hospital in Bessemer. He joined the administration of Bessemer Carraway Medical Center in 1973. In 2002 he was named President and CEO of UAB Medical West.

UAB Medical West Chief Financial Officer Tim Thornton will serve as acting CEO. UAB President Carol Z. Garrison said Eagar would be remembered for his deep commitment to the people of Bessemer. “It has been a great pleasure to work with Dan. He had a keen sense of what was most important for his community and that always was his first concern. All of us have lost a tremendous person today.”

“Dan Eagar was a ‘visionary,’” said UAB Health System CEO David Fine. “Since 2002, UAB has enjoyed a very robust collaboration with UAB Medical West. That partnership was born out of his desire to provide the very best health care for the people of Bessemer.” Fine noted that Eagar was highly regarded by his peers and served as a role model and mentor for young professionals just beginning their careers.

“He was a well-loved figure among the UAB family and we will miss him tremendously,” Fine said.

Eagar was a member of the Board of Directors for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and past chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and was chairman of the health committee for the Domestic Violence Task Force. He served on the boards of the Bessemer Area YMCA and the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce.

Eagar is survived by his wife Carolyn; daughters Lisa Marlow of Pelham, Kim Gillies of Pensacola, and five grandchildren.

The visitation and funeral will be held Monday, April 12 at the Bessemer Civic Center, 1130 9th Ave. SW. The visitation begins at noon and the funeral is at 2 p.m. Burial is at the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church cemetery in Abernant.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Western Health Services Foundation, 995 9th Ave. SW, Bessemer, AL, 35021.