Gerald M Fleming MD

1943 - 2015

BORN

1943

DIED

2015

Gerald Fleming Obituary

Gerald M. Fleming, M.D.

May 3, 1943 - July, 2015

Gerald Michael Fleming, M.D., age 72, died at home in July, 2015. He is survived by a son, Dr. Kevin S. Fleming, of Broomall, PA and his wife Laurie and grandsons Ethan and Jason, daughter, Kathryn E. Fleming, of Alexandria, VA, and his brothers James and Joseph Fleming, of MA and their families.
He was born to Vincent and Ruth Fleming and grew up in S. California. He attended St. Mary's College and Creighton University School of Medicine. He trained in Internal & Pulmonary Medicine in San Francisco and Cleveland. There he met Dr. Barbara Herman, whom he married in 1970.
He eventually joined the faculty at CWRU and the Cleveland VA where he taught and did research.
Tragically, he suffered at Traumatic Brain Injury in 1983, resulting permanent disability.
After moving back to the Bay Area in 1986, he devoted his life to advocating for independent living for the disabled. He was on the Board of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley for many years. He was probably most proud of helping develop the American's with Disabilities' Act, being invited to attend the signing ceremony at the White House in 1990. Sadly, he died only days before the 25th anniversary of its signing.
He will be interred at the family plot at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Fitchburg, MA on September 15th at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, CA.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 2 to Sep. 6, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

My years working alongside Gerry with the head injured community were so precious. We touched so many lives and helped them to mainstream back into the community. He will always be missed for his gentle, caring demeanor, and genuine love for his children. I was proud to be his friend.

Dorena (Lavatai) Bennett

Other

August 27, 2023

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Dorena Lavatai Bennett

Other

August 27, 2021

This comes a little late, since I only searched the web today to get in touch with Jerry. We both co-founded the East Bay Head Injury Project and Support Group at the Center for Independent Living in the 80's and facilitated that support group for nine years. We made history when we put on the first Conference on Disability from within in 1989 thus opening the door to so many agencies who serve traumatic brain injured persons until today. Our cognitive deficits from our brain injuries did not hinder us from looking for answers that might improve the quality of life for our population. Jerry loved his children and spoke often of them. I am saddened that I did not connect with him before he died. He was a noble man with vision and will be missed by his peers.

Dorena (Lavatai) Bennett

April 25, 2016

The Bobolias

September 9, 2015

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