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In Memoriam

Leslie Haefele, MD, ’34
Dr. Leslie Poss Haefele, who practiced medicine in Garden City, Mich., for 42 years, passed away in February 2001.

Dr. Haefele, of Dearborn, Mich., was a founding father of Oakwood Hospital, and was responsible for developing the 7th floor surgical wing. His family was deeply touched when the Oakwood Health Services Family Care Facility was dedicated to him in honor of his many years of caring medical service.

Dr. Haefele was born and raised in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and graduated from Rutgers University in 1929. He earned his medical degree at Wayne State University in 1934, interning at Detroit Receiving Hospital and Deaconess Hospital, Cleveland, prior to establishing a practice in Bolivar, Ohio, from 1936 - 1938.

In 1938, he completed specialty training in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania with a year of surgical residency at White Plains Hospital in New York. In 1941, he set up a private practice in Garden City, Mich., from which he retired in 1994. During that time, Dr. Haefele was a staff physician at Wayne Annapolis Hospital for 30 years and a part-time physician for Ford Motor Company.

He was a past president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and of the Garden City Rotary Club. He and his wife, Jane, who died in 1981, were strong patrons of the arts and active supporters of the Hilberry Classic Theatre in Detroit. Dr. Leslie Haefele is survived by his daughters: Tonnie, Judy, Jenny and Roxane, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Laurie Rowan, MD
Dr. Laurie Rowan, who served as assistant director of the intensive care unit at Hutzel Hospital from August 1994 to September 2001, died at age 46. Dr. Laurie Rowan was board-certified in internal medicine and critical care medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internship in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary/critical care at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Arthur Ulmer, MD ’46
Dr. Arthur Ulmer delivered more than 12,000 babies in his 52-year medical career and went out of his way to make every mother and father feel comfortable.

Dr. Ulmer, who practiced obstetrics and gynecology, died on Monday, December 10, 2001, of myelodyspasia at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. He was 79 years old.

He retired from the rigors of daily medicine when he was 75 and began working one day a week for the next three years at a free Detroit clinic for welfare mothers in need of obstetric care. "He felt every patient was important," his wife said.

Dr. Ulmer was president-elect of the Wayne State Medical School Alumni Association. He served nine years on the board of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan and was a former president of the Detroit Medical Club. He also chaired the Wayne County Medical Society board of trustees and the Michigan State Medical Society OB-GYN Section.

At St. John Hospital in Detroit, he was elected chief of staff twice, and was on the hospital's board of trustees for more than a decade. Dr. Ulmer also worked on staff at the following hospitals: St. John-Macomb, Eastside General, Receiving, Deaconess, Holy Cross and Women's Hospitals.

He received his bachelor's degree in biology and his medical degree from Wayne State University, graduating with distinction and honors. Dr. Ulmer was a medical doctor in the Navy during World War II; he was stationed in Texas, Illinois and California.

Dr. Ulmer also served as a board member of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club, president of the First English Lutheran Church congregation, and member of the Crescent Sail Club in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Away from the office, he relaxed by camping with his family, traveling the world, and woodworking. "He had a very large shop with many tools and often made projects for his grandchildren – a cupboard for a playhouse, a jungle gym or a dollhouse," Mrs. Ulmer said. "They were gifts he made with love."

Survivors include his wife, two daughters: Karen Richards and Barbara Guest; four sons: Lawrence, Roger, Douglas and John; 17 grandchildren; one sister; and two brothers.

Our Apologies

We regret that we incorrectly listed Dr. Frederick Salamon, ’61, as deceased in the last issue of Alum Notes. We are happy to report that he is alive and well. Our sincere apologies for the mix-up.

The Office of Alumni Affairs in the School of Medicine has received notification of the deaths of the following alumni. On behalf of the university community, we extend sincere sympathy to family and friends.

Harry Portnoy, MD, ‘30
Peter Shifrin, MD, ‘32
Leslie Poss Haefele, MD, ‘34
Hal Norgaard, MD, ‘35
Andrew Fulgenzi, MD, ‘38
Morris Blau, MD, ‘39
Byrne Daly, MD, ‘42
Walter Hileman, MD, ‘42
Robert Powers, MD, ‘43
Leonard VanRaaphorst, MD, ‘43
John E. Young, MD, ‘45
Arthur Ulmer, MD, ‘47
Robert Lilly, MD, ‘54
John Temple, MD, ‘71
Paul Treusch, MD, ‘78
Irene M. Diaczok, MD, ‘83

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