Robert A. Green

Green, Robert A. 5/13/1925 - 4/13/2015 Ann Arbor MI Physician, teacher, author, actor, poet, storyteller, violinist - husband, father, step-father - Robert Abraham Green, MD died on April 13, 2015 at the age of 89. He was born May 13, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the first child of Samuel Green and Elizabeth Monoson Green. Dr. Green was raised and educated in the public schools of Brooklyn, NY. He attended Harvard College, where his education was interrupted by his service in the United States Navy. After a year as a corpsman, at the US Naval Hospital, in Oakland, CA, the Navy assigned Dr. Green to the University of Illinois Medical School, from which he graduated as a civilian in 1948. He interned at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and did further training in pathology and internal medicine at the VA Hospital in The Bronx, NY. Called back to service during the Korean War, Dr. Green spent the next three years in the US Public Health Service, assigned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he was in charge of a tuberculosis sanatorium in Talihina, Oklahoma. Dr. Green then returned to The Bronx on the staff of the Pulmonary Disease Section at the VA Hospital. In December 1958, he became Chief of the Pulmonary Service at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a faculty position at the University of Michigan Medical School. He rose through the ranks, particularly known for his teaching, for which he received many awards. He retired as full professor in 1995. Dr. Green served eleven years as Associate Dean of the UM Medical School during a period of student unrest and minority recruitment. He also served on many university committees and was chair of the faculty senate, (SACUA). He was married to Lila Schlossman in Brooklyn, NY, in December 1951. She predeceased him in 2003. He then married Martha J. Sullivan Green in 2011. Dr. Green had 5 children: Susan Hilary (Dr. Mark Henderson), Carol Green, Janet V. Green (Honorable William P. Williams), Daniel Green (Hilary Haftel, MD), Bert J. Green (Jennifer Grollman). His daughter Carol predeceased him, passing unexpectedly last week on April 3, 2015. His grandchildren: Erin Henderson, Ben Henderson, Abigail Henderson, Samantha Green, Lirit Green and Shoshana Green also survive him, as do his step-grandchildren, Paul and Kady Williams. Additionally, he is survived by his step-children; Amy M. Sullivan, M. Emily Lake, (and her children Adam and Dylan Lake), and Matthew C. Sullivan (Maki), and their daughter Airi Sullivan. Additional survivors are his sisters-in-law, Mildred Schneider and Susan Green, his niece Nancy (Steve Saraisky) and nephew Richard (Smita Narula) Green and nephew Gary Winters and niece Ellen Winters. His brother Edward predeceased him. Dr. Green was a warm, deeply generous, lovingly attentive husband, parent and loyal friend. Consistently described as a stunningly brilliant and witty man, a daunting bridge player and warm sweet man who wanted and worked for the very best for everyone he met. His memoir, "A Journey Through Medicine," reflects these qualities. Dr. Green was a member of the Ann Arbor Rotary, and active with the American Lung Association, of which he was National Vice President. He was a member of the Ann Arbor Civic Theater, and won best actor awards for his performances in "The Crucible," and "Inherit the Wind," as well as best supporting actor in "Broadway Bound." He is fondly remembered by many for his rendition of "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" in "Kiss Me Kate." He was a member of Beth Israel Congregation since 1959, twice served on the Board, and was Vice President for Religious Affairs during the congregation's last year on Hill St. and the first year in it's current location. Dr. Green is and was fondly loved and will be deeply missed by the many whose lives he touched so meaningfully. The funeral was held at Beth Israel Congregation, 2000 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, on Thursday, April 16, at 12:00 Noon with interment following at Beth Israel Memorial Garden in Arborcrest Memorial Park. It is suggested that those who wish to honor the memory of Robert A. Green, MD, may do so by making a contribution to the American Lung Association; Beth Israel Congregation, 2000 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104; or a charity of your choice.