More than a memory: Transforming loss into lifesaving knowledge

At 39 years old, Scott L. Harper was the picture of health. A six-foot-six-inch-tall rugby player and CrossFit enthusiast, he was strong, active, and took care of his health.

When Scott began feeling unwell, no one imagined it could be life-threatening. For half a year, he searched for answers to his persistent stomach pain.

Then in June 2015, just three months after welcoming his daughter, Taylor, into the world, Scott died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. When his parents rushed to his home, they found he had collapsed—while tending to his daughter. 

Only later did the family learn that his maternal grandfather, who died suddenly in 1972, had the same condition. It was a hereditary connection the family had not previously known about.

“It’s a treatable problem if we had known what it was,” said his father, Ed Harper.

Scott’s parents remember him as someone defined by his joyous spirit and deep concern for others. Once, when Ed collapsed at a farm auction in the country, Scott immediately lifted his father off the ground, got him to his truck, and rushed him to the hospital.

Scott had a zest for life, which showed even during a 500-mile bike ride fundraiser. He got lost in the blazing Iowa summer heat and ended up actually riding 600 miles.

“He didn’t care,” said his mother, Becky. “He laughed and said, ‘I got lost! Isn’t that great?’”

Shortly after Scott’s death, his parents became determined to help prevent this tragedy from happening to others.

“His death had to mean something. He can’t have just passed from our lives,” Becky said. “We had to take action.”

“We believe there is a lot that can be done to help save people,” Ed said. “This condition is not common, but it happens, so awareness is important.”

As they began researching aortic disease, Ed and Becky came across the work of Dianna M. Milewicz, MD, PhD, a professor of medical genetics and the President George Bush Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. They initially chose to help advance her work through the university’s John Ritter Research Program. As they learned more about the school’s expertise and impact on the training of future physicians, they began expanding their commitment.

“I did a lot of reading and saw UTHealth Houston had a top program in this area,” Ed said. “Supporting them would have a big effect on helping doctors learn to diagnose this condition earlier.”

In their son’s memory, the couple established the Scott L. Harper Aortic Education and Research Endowment in 2021 to improve early recognition of aortic dissections—from first responders and emergency room doctors to physicians across specialties. Their investment is already helping build momentum in this area, with two surgical trainees contributing to aortic surgery studies and publications.

In 2024, the Harpers expanded their commitment by creating the Scott Harper Aortic Dissection session in early detection, which supports the longstanding Houston Aortic Symposium, bringing together researchers and clinicians to share advancements in the field. The symposium has already featured two dedicated Scott Harper Aortic Dissection sessions, reflecting the growing impact of the couple’s philanthropy.

Through these efforts, the Harpers hope to advance understanding of aortic disease and help more physicians recognize the warning signs earlier and respond with timely, lifesaving care. They believe connecting Scott’s name to this work helps preserve the qualities that defined him. 

“I want him to be known for who he was and not the fact that he died,” Becky said.

“Scott would be the last person to want tears,” Ed added. “He would be very pleased by what we’re doing.”

In 2026, they further grew their commitment by creating the Scott Harper Aortic Dissection Mental Health Fund to address the emotional impact of aortic disease, supporting screening for depression, anxiety, and PTSD among survivors and their families. The fund is enabling a pilot project led by Harleen Sandhu, MD, MPH, associate professor of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, focused on developing and testing a behaviorally based mental health intervention for those affected by aortic conditions.

“Even if you survive, there can be a lot of PTSD about what happened,” Becky said. “There isn’t a day since Scott died that we haven’t thought about it.”

“He was always the first to be there to help others,” Becky added. “Through this work, he still is.”