Obituaries
Obituaries
By Jerry Graff, MD, June 1, 2020
The Academy recently learned with sorrow of the passing of the following members of the dermatologic community.
ROBERT AUERBACH, MD, of New York, Nov. 1, 2017, at age 85. Trained in dermatology at University of Chicago. Was a well-known expert in the treatment of psoriasis and was clinical professor of dermatology at NYU. From Ron Brancaccio, MD, an NYU colleague: He “had a great deal of knowledge about psoriasis before the days of the biologics. [He] was an excellent dermatologist and truly an ‘old timer’ who took care of everything and everyone. [He] was a devoted faculty member at NYU.” Loved travel, history, and literature.
RALPH T. BEHLING, MD, of San Mateo, California, Dec. 17, 2016, at age 98. Trained in dermatology at UCSF. Served in the USPHS for four years, won a $1 million grant to introduce the Pap smear to medical schools and hospitals west of the Mississippi, and started trauma centers in five western hospitals. Opened private practice in San Mateo in 1947 and taught at UCSF dermatology. After retiring from practice in 1983, he joined the California state military reserves, achieved the rank of full colonel, and served as a physician at California military bases. Participated in many civic and private organizations in leadership roles. Enjoyed investing in all kinds of real estate. Loved playing tennis and singing. Attended Barbershop Harmony College in Nashville.
JOHN M. BREWER Jr., MD, of Kershaw, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2019, at age 91. Trained in dermatology at Tulane Medical Center. Practiced first in Atlanta, then for many years, in Kershaw. No other information available.
RICHARD M. CAPLAN, MD, of Iowa City, Iowa, Aug. 20, 2019, at age 90. Trained in dermatology at University of Michigan. Joined University of Iowa dermatology faculty in 1961, became full professor in 1969 and served until retiring in 1997. From 1969-1991 served half-time as Assoc. Dean of Continuing Medical Education. Received numerous honors and awards from organizations with Iowa education and the medical community, of note, formation of the Richard M. Caplan Chair of Biomedical Ethics and Medical Humanities in 1997. Published widely within the medical community. Was a life-long musician, performing solo and in many groups, many genres of music, including as a cocktail lounge solo pianist. Served the Iowa City Community Theater as an actor and musical director for years. Was a Sherlock Holmes fan and member of the Baker Street Irregulars. Late in life became a visual artist and always enjoyed travel.
ROGER A. CONNOR, MD, of Naples, Florida, May 28, 2019, at age 99. Trained in dermatology at Boston City Hospital followed by a longstanding private practice in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Was active in Berkshire County civic organizations and loved to do 16 mm movie productions of family trips (six children) to many worldwide locations. Retired to Naples but continued to serve patients by volunteering at the Senior Friendship Center, a free medical clinic.
PAUL HUIE COOK, MD, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dec. 27, 2014, at age 90. Trained in dermatology at Duke. Was present on day two of “D Day” serving in the Navy. Practiced in Spartanburg for 46 years. Grew roses and won numerous awards. Was an avid NASCAR fan and was a regular at The Masters golf tournament.
CHALMERS CORNELIUS III, MD, of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Dec. 3, 2019, at age 81. Trained in dermatology at University of Pennsylvania. Participated in the research and development that led to the release of Retin-A. Practiced in the Bryn Mawr area for 45 years. Trekked at altitude on four continents, including climbing The Great Pyramid of Giza, Mt. Blanc, and reaching Everest Base Camp. Donated his services to local communities along the way. Was a photographer of note, a collector of stamps, antiquities, and art, and was also an accomplished pianist.
JOHN M. CURRIE, MD, of Salem, Oregon, May 17, 2018, at age 81. Trained in dermatology at University of Oklahoma. Was a Naval flight surgeon after residency and continued his service in the Army National Guard from 1972-2000. Practiced in Salem for 46 years and was volunteer faculty in the dermatology department at OHSU.
ROBERT N. DAVID, MD, of Greensboro, North Carolina, May 22, 2019, at age 83. Trained in dermatology at the University of North Caroline. Practiced in Greensboro for almost 40 years. Was involved with saving greyhounds. Of note, his mother’s middle name was Pocahontas, and he grew up in War, West Virginia!
JAMES K. DAVIS, MD. of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Sept. 1, 2017, at age 91. Trained in dermatology at University of Maryland. Practiced for many years in the Johnstown area. Enjoyed gardening, fishing, and golf.
IRVING H. DISTELHEIM, MD, of Highland Park, Illinois, Jan. 28, 2019, at age 99. Trained in dermatology at NYU. Practiced for many years in downtown Chicago. No other information found.
SELIG EISENBERG, MD, of Bronx, New York, Oct. 26, 2019, at age 87. Trained in dermatology at NYU. After service in the Navy, practiced primarily in the Bronx but also near NYU in Manhattan. His varied interests included sport, horticulture, classical music, film, cartography, astronomy, and illustration art. Fluent in Spanish and Yiddish. Loved blowing up his rubber gloves to entertain toddlers. Had a special sensitivity for those with mental illness.
RAMON M. FUSARO, MD, PHD, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, Jan. 15, 2020, at age 93. Trained in dermatology at University of Minnesota. Taught there from 1957-1970 and acquired MS and PhD degrees while there. Became head of the outpatient dermatology clinic from ’62 to ’70. Then became chair of dermatology at University of Nebraska in ’70 and the same position in ’75 at Creighton University Medical School. Held those positions until retired in 2008. He and his wife shared the joys of growing beautiful rose gardens at their home.
PETER M. GOLDMAN, MD, of Beverly Hills, California, Jan. 4, 2020, at age 75. Trained in dermatology at UCLA. Taught at both UCLA and at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for many years. Private practice in Beverly Hills, specializing in cosmetic surgery and hair restoration. Loved all things beautiful: scenic, cosmetic, and “natural,” playing piano, and theater.
HERBERT S. GOLOMB, MD, of Falls Church, Virginia, Aug. 28, 2019, at age 85. Trained in dermatology at NYU. No other information found.
NEPOMUCENO HOYOS, MD, of Forest Hills, New York, Dec. 7, 2019, at age 86. Trained in dermatology at University of Pennsylvania. No other information found.
PETER J. KOBLENZER, MD, of Philadelphia, March 16, 2019, at age 97. Trained in dermatology at Temple University Hospital. Born in Munich, Germany, was a Holocaust survivor, and lived in an internment camp on the Isle of Man for several years. He and wife Caroline, who he met in medical school in London, spent years after graduating with the British Overseas Colonial Service, providing medical care in Sudan, then Borneo. Emigrated to Philadelphia in 1959 and trained in pediatrics, then joined a pediatric practice for a year in Thunder Bay, Canada. Returned to Philadelphia for dermatology residency. Worked several years as a pediatric dermatologist at two Philadelphia hospitals before opening a private practice in Moorestown, New Jersey with Caroline who also completed a dermatology residency. Practiced there until retiring in Dec. 2017 at age 95. Co-founded the American Association for Psycho-Cutaneous Medicine. Caroline completed psychoanalytic training, and they devoted their practice to psycho-cutaneous disease. Had many passions including traveling the world, collecting art, and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
CARL S. KORN, MD, of Sherman Oaks, California, Nov. 9, 2013, at age 76. Trained in dermatology at University of Southern California. Practiced in Sherman Oaks and was an art collector and philanthropist, donating to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to enhance their youth programs.
STEPHEN J. KRAUS, MD, of Atlanta, Oct. 28, 2019, at age 81. Trained in dermatology at University Hospitals, Cleveland. Served with the USPHS and the CDC for 20 years before joining private practice in Atlanta. Affectionately known to his patients as “the skin whisperer.”
STEPHEN B. KURTIN, MD, of Atlanta, Nov. 2, 2013, at age 74. Trained in dermatology at NYU. Practiced in NYC from 1969 to 2006 and then in Atlanta until retiring in 2011. Taught students and residents at Mt. Sinai Medical School in NYC throughout his career and was chosen twice as “Teacher of the Year” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Was a competitive swimmer, an All-American, and record-holder at Princeton and competed into his 60s in Masters events.
GERALD K. KVISTBERG, MD, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Apr. 7, 2007, at age 76. Trained in dermatology at University of Minnesota. Practiced in St. Cloud for over 40 years and served in many capacities and roles in innumerable civic organizations.
JAMES N. LAMPROS, MD, of Roanoke, Virginia. March 12, 2008, at age 75. Trained in dermatology at University of Cincinnati. Practiced in the Roanoke Valley for 25 years. No other information found.
RONALD E. LATHER, MD, of Vernon, New York. Feb. 11, 2016, at age 79. Trained in allergy and dermatology at Tulane. Practiced in Vernon for 48 years. Devoted many years to community service. Loved fast cars and slow games of golf. He and his wife loved traveling to warmer climates as well as in the Adirondacks. Was a major sports fan.
MANIA LEVITAN, MD, of Chicago, March 27, 2012, at age 76. Trained in dermatology at University of Illinois at Chicago. Born in Lithuania, she survived World War II in Russia, then attended medical school in Israel before moving to the U.S. for her residency. Practiced in the Chicago area.
ELIZABETH PRATT BERRY LONG, MD, of Alexandria, Louisiana, Feb. 15, 2020, at age 45. Trained in dermatology at LSU Medical Center. Practiced one year in Miami, then returned to Louisiana to open her practice. Was president-elect for 2020 for the Louisiana Dermatological Society. Taught residents in the LSU department of dermatology clinics and medical students in her office. Loved travel and visiting museums, particularly in Europe.
DAN M. MACKEY, MD, of Atlanta, Nov. 8, 2019, at age 83. Trained in dermatology at University of Virginia Medical Center. After residency, began a life of world travel by joining the Peace Corps and serving in Borneo. Returned to Atlanta to work at the CDC followed by opening a practice there. Then took two separate two- to three-year breaks as head of the dermatology department at King Faisal Specialized Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Finally stayed in Atlanta and worked at the Emory Clinic while teaching dermatology residents at Emory. Visited more than 150 countries in his travels. Was a philanthropist, a connoisseur of the arts, and an avid cook.
JEROME S. MALINER, MD, of Eugene, Oregon, June 22, 2019, at age 91. Trained in dermatology at UCLA. Practiced early on in both Coos Bay and Eugene, later only in Eugene. Loved trees and hand-planted many, many trees on his tree farms. After retirement at age 70, volunteered at White Bird and Volunteers in Medicine Clinics with a particular interest in arsenic-induced cutaneous disease (since Oregon well water had high arsenic levels). Was an avid swimmer, bicycler, and kayaker and sang with the Eugene Gleemen. Was chair of the Ethiopian Jewry Rescue Committee that airlifted Ethiopian Jews to safety in Israel in 1991.
C. G. MENDELSON, MD, of Santa Barbara, California, Dec. 11, 2016, at age 88. Trained in dermatology at Penn. Practiced at Henry Ford Hospital and in San Francisco around employment at Syntax Pharmaceuticals. Was a founder of the Santa Barbara City College Memory Care Program. Loved college sports, finding a bargain, live Dixieland music, and liberal politics. Hated social injustice, racial inequality, and under-toasted English muffins!
LAURENCE H. MILLER, MD, of Potomac, Maryland, July 7, 2018, at age 83. Trained in dermatology at NYU. Spent two years at USPH service followed by a 29-year affiliation with NIH, becoming director of the Department of Environments and Metabolic Diseases. also had a private practice in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Served many years on medical advisory board of the organization, DEBRA.
ROBERT P. MYERS, MD, of Columbus, Mississippi, Dec. 14, 2017, at age 85. Trained in dermatology at University of Alabama. Practiced for 34 years in Columbus. Developed a Myers Itch Cream and supposedly contributed to the development of Aquaphor Ointment. Served in several civic organizations.
KATHLEEN T. O’SHEA, MD, of Melrose, Massachusetts, Dec. 3, 2011, at age 74. Trained in dermatology at Harvard. Was one of first female dermatologists appointed at Massachusetts General and worked in the Dermatology Department there under Dr. T. Fitzpatrick’s mentorship. Spent several years at Mass General punctuated by a one-year shift to Albany Medical Center.
GEORGE P. PAVLIDAKEY, MD, of Clearwater, Florida, Nov. 15, 2019, at age 70. Trained in dermatology at Wayne State. Practiced for many years in Clearwater. No other information found.
DAVID E. PAYNE, MD, of Columbia, Missouri, March 23, 2018, at age 79. Trained in dermatology at University of Missouri. Practiced many years in Columbia. Loved animals and always had a dog, dirt bike racing early on, riding his Harley to his office. Also enjoyed racquetball, tennis, and singing.
EDWARD S. PETERKA, MD, of Galesburg, Illinois, Nov. 26, 2019, at age 89. Trained in dermatology at University of Minnesota. After residency, worked three years in the dermatology department at University of Colorado, then opened his practice in Galesburg where he served the community for over 40 years. Along the way also served as head of dermatology at Peoria (IL) School of Medicine and held a teaching position at Lincoln School of Medicine at University of Illinois at Chicago. Was a charter member and was first president of Illinois Dermatological Society. Spent two years as a local Rotary Club member on medical missions to Nigeria and Peru. Was active in several local community service organizations. Was an avid golfer, traveler, and writer, and enjoyed creating board and card games. After retirement, took singing lessons and taught himself to play the guitar.
JOSEPH ROTHENSTEIN, MD, of Sharon, Massachusetts, Dec. 4, 2017, at age 86. Trained in dermatology at Tufts. Private practice in Attleboro, Massachusetts for over 30 years. No other information found.
ALICJA RUDNICKA, MD, of Sutton, Massachusetts, Jan. 5, 2020, at age 77. Trained in dermatology at Brown. Worked 48 years in her Webster, Massachusetts practice. Was active in several local community organizations. Joined the MA Horticultural Society and became a Master Gardener. Loved dogs, reading, traveling, crossword puzzles. Late in life developed skill in painting watercolors and was a connoisseur of music.
ANGELITO C. SAQUETON, MD, of Happy Valley, Oregon, Jan. 31, 2019, at age 80. Trained in dermatology at University of Chicago. Grew up in the Philippines and recalled his father’s arrest by the occupying Japanese for helping the underground. After residency, returned to practice in the Philippines but left after declaration of martial law by Marcos. Practiced briefly in Connecticut and then found his place at Kaiser Permanente in Portland where he practiced until retirement. Served as adjunct clinical professor of dermatology at OHSU. Enjoyed music, plants, fishing, and tennis. Was president of the Filipino-American Friendship Club of Oregon and was the 2012 Most Honored Elder Award Recipient of the Asian Reporter Foundation. Liked to attend funeral services to hear positive traits of the deceased.
NOAH S. SCHEINFELD, MD, JD, of New York, June 3, 2019, at age 55. Trained in dermatology at Albert Einstein College. Ivy League educated at Columbia (undergrad), Harvard (law), and Yale (medicine). Practiced in NYC. Was assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell. Prolific writer of academic articles and was editor/co-editor for many dermatology textbooks. Expert in management of hidradenitis suppurativa. Was first to report successful treatment with adalimumab. Served as VP of the HS Foundation.
ANDREW E. SEGAL, MD, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, July 8, 2019, at age 90. Trained in dermatology at NYU. Board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, practiced for many years in Southfield, Michigan. No other information found.
LAWRENCE M. SOLOMON, MD, of Northbrook, Illinois, Oct. 1, 2014, at age 83. Trained in dermatology at Penn. After residency, joined faculty of University of Illinois department of dermatology and became chair from 1974 to 1995. Trained 175 residents there and wrote articles, chapters, and textbooks on pediatric and neonatal dermatology. Held several administrative positions at University of Illinois from president of medical staff to associate dean. After leaving the unit, continued in pediatric dermatology private practice for years. Was a member of many national and international medical and dermatology societies. Was an editor of numerous dermatology journals. Received several prestigious awards for teaching. The Solomon/Esterly text, Neonatal Dermatology, was considered the foremost text on the subject. As a pediatric dermatologist he loved kids and had a special knack with relaxing children, typically giving each one anything from a quarter to a dollar (story from daughter, Deborah Ehrlich, MD, online). From an early age was a rare book collector.
JAMES C. STARKE, MD, of Nashua, New Hampshire, July 6, 2014, at age 85. Trained in dermatology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Prior to residency served two years in USPHS at Leavenworth Penitentiary, Kansas. Began practice and teaching at University of Vermont, then moved to practices in Manchester and Nashua, and finally, just to Nashua. Became first dermatologist to perform Mohs surgery in northern New England after training with Dr. Mohs. Was a health officer for Amherst, New Hampshire for 40 years. Was founding member and first president of Nashua family planning. Served as president of the Amherst Historical Society and was a member of many other dermatology and civic organizations. Loved skiing (until age 80), gardening, classical music (particularly Tchaikovsky), and reading books on religious studies.
CATHERINE H. STEELE, MD, of Great Falls, Montana, Dec. 26. 2019, at age 95. Trained in dermatology at Wayne State. Practiced in Great Falls for many years, including with her husband. Active in her community in PEO, Twentieth Century Book Club, and volunteered at soup kitchen. Loved the outdoors to include fishing, hunting big game, hiking, and studying wildflowers.
DON E. SUTER, MD, of southern California, Dec. 18, 2017, at age 91. Trained in dermatology at University of Michigan. Shared with wife, who pre-deceased him, love of visual arts, travel, and opera (from her obituary). No other information found.
PATRICK J. TOBIN, MD, of Traverse City, Michigan, Sept. 27, 2019, at age 81. Trained in dermatology at University of Michigan. Practiced in Traverse City for 35 years. After retirement, volunteered at Traverse Health Clinic. Was a member of National Ski Patrol and was an avid road and mountain biker and Nordic skier. Loved sailing, including racing.
SETSUKO UEDA, MD, of Fukuoka, Japan, June 1, 2019, at age 72. Trained in dermatology at Kyushu University Hospital. No other information found.
PAUL WEN-SHAN WANG, MD, of Richland, Michigan, Feb. 25, 2019, at age 89. Trained in dermatology at University of Michigan. He and his family tried to escape the second Sino-Japanese war in Chunking and won a scholarship via Catholic missionaries to attend University of Portland (Oregon). Despite knowing almost no English, managed to graduate, then achieved an MBA at University of Michigan. Tried business at General Motors for a year then chose to attend medical school. Practiced for almost 45 years in Kalamazoo with Dr. Robt. Grekin. Highly accomplished Chinese scholar, collector, and artist. Was talented in various aspects of Chinese art including calligraphy.
ROBERT G. WEBER, MD, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Oct. 17, 2019, at age 94. Trained in dermatology at Mayo Clinic. Practiced for many years in Ft. Lauderdale and was known for spending many weekends providing home care to indigent patients at no charge. In 1984, received the Practitioner of the Year Award from Florida Society of Dermatology.
