Dr. Edward J. Kauffman Obituary (1941 - 2012)

Dr. Edward Jerome Kauffman, 71, of Columbus, Ohio and Estero, Florida, died on December 15, 2012, following a long illness. Loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather, caring brother, and a friend to many people, Ed touched us all in a way that has made the world a better place. ;Ed grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey where he and Bobbie met 54 years ago. Following his graduation from Temple University and the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, Ed and Bobbie moved to Camp LeJeune, South Carolina, where he served two years in the U.S. Navy. They then moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Ed had interned and began his lifelong practice and love of medicine. Ed was one of the founding physicians of Sedalia Medical Center, where he practiced family medicine for 40 years. During that time, Ed also served as Chief of Staff at Doctors Hospital North in Columbus from 1982 to 1984. He was also on staff at St. Anne’s and Mt. Carmel, and served as Head of Physician’s Gifts in United Way. Ed was a member of the Masonic Order. Ed retired from practice in 2001 when he was diagnosed and treated for malignant pheochromocytoma. Ed co-founded and was the first Chairman of the National PheoPara Alliance, formed to fund research into treatments for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and to support a better understanding of these rare cancers. Under Ed’s guidance, the Foundation has since funded several international research projects which are currently underway. Most recently, Ed was a Consulting Medical Research Evaluator for the American Institute of Biological Sciences, U.S. Army, Department of Defense. Ed was an avid golfer throughout his life, and, in recent years, became an accomplished painter. Ed was preceded in death by his in-laws, Ruth and Philip Tannenbaum, his parents, Dr. Morris and Sue Kauffman, and his brother, Dr. Larry Kauffman. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Bobbie; his sons Jeffrey, Stephen (Angela); and Matthew (Tera); grandchildren Shane, Gabby, Bradley, Avi, Noa, Van, Carlie, Ashley, and Kai; sisters in law Peggy (Charlie) Sloin, Beverly Kling, and Irene Kauffman; nieces and nephews Bonnie, Philip, Andrew, Scott, Shira, Becky, and David; and by Sammy. Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, December 18th at THE EPSTEIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 3232 E. Main St. with Rabbi Harold Berman and Cantor Jack Chomsky officiating. Burial will follow at New Tifereth Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the Kauffman residence from Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Donations are requested to the Pheo Para Alliance, PO Box 504, Arlington, VA 22216, to the Arthur James Cancer Center at The Ohio State University, or to a charity of your choice.