KUGELMAN, Thomas P.
Thomas Peter Kugelman, a Hartford-area dermatologist in private practice for nearly five decades, died on August 18, 2013 at his home in Bloomfield. He was 78. Dr. Kugelman was an avid music lover and noted authority on 18th-century Connecticut furniture. Born in New York City on October 25, 1934 to the late Bernhard Kugelmann and Ingeborg Bielschowsky, Dr. Kugelman attended Fieldston School and graduated from Yale College, where he met his future wife, Alice Kirkpatrick. He received his medical training at the Yale School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency in dermatology at the University of Michigan. In 1964, he set up a dermatology practice at Hartford Hospital, retiring in 2011. Dr. Kugelman served on the medical staff of Hartford Hospital as Chief of Dermatology (1986-2001) and Chief of Staff (1991- 1993). A dedicated teacher, he supervised physicians and students at Hartford Hospital and Yale School of Medicine, where he was also Associate Clinical Professor. During the early 1970s, Dr. Kugelman and his wife began studying 18th-century Connecticut furniture. Over the next 40 years they assembled an important collection of Connecticut River Valley furniture. What began as a hobby grew into a serious scholarly undertaking. Along with Robert Lionetti, they applied the rigor of medical diagnostics to furniture examination, resulting in the publication of their 2005 book Connecticut Valley Furniture by Eliphalet Chapin and His Contemporaries 1750-1800. They curated the accompanying exhibition at the Connecticut Historical Society and the Concord (MA) Museum. His passion for Connecticut furniture and decorative arts prompted Dr. Kugelman's dedication to the Connecticut Historical Society, where he served as a trustee and chair of the Museum Collections Committee from 1980 until shortly before his death. Even as illness impaired his physical mobility during his last year, Dr. Kugelman continued to perform research for the Society. He enjoyed playing cello with the Connecticut String Orchestra, organizing several European concert tours and serving as president and librarian for many years. He also loved playing chamber music with friends and family. Dr. Kugelman was a long-term member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, where he served as deacon and moderator. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice Kugelman; a sister, Barbara Merrill of Saratoga, CA; three daughters, Lisa Kugelman and her husband Roy Wiseman of West Hartford, Karen and Robert Paruolo of Glastonbury, and Margaret and Andrew Hofer of Princeton, NJ; and eight grandchildren. The family extends its gratitude to Iris Gray for her loving care.
A celebration of his life will be held at Asylum Hill Congregational Church on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105, or the ALS Association, 4 Oxford Rd, Milford, CT 06460.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
My deepest sympathy for you and your family.
The gifts that he gave you are forever and how grateful is that. A wonderful legacy to carry on.
Meg Peterson
Meg Peterson
February 16, 2014
Dear Alice and family,
So sorry to learn of Tom's passing. He was definitely a man who made things happen. I have so many rich memories of the Connecticut String Orchestra, and especially the two international tours I took part in, all of which were a result of his untiring efforts. He will be warmly remembered for his warmth and generous spirit.
Jane Carlberg
Jane Carlberg
September 10, 2013
Alice, Lisa and family, Most sincere condolences on Tom's paaing. I valued relationships as a patient and work colleague. Respected him a great deal; a true renaissance man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all,
John Meehan ( and Pamela)
August 26, 2013
Dear Dr. Lisa Kugelman and Family,
My deepest sympathy to you over the loss of your father. He was a great doctor and a great man who helped countless people. He will be greatly missed.
Michael Kantor
August 25, 2013
Dr. Lisa and family, please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Dad and my thanks to him for his care of me and your continued care of me Dr. Lisa
Linda McGuire
August 25, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the Kugelman family on the doctor's passing.
Dr. Kugelman helped me out with some dermatology issues some time ago and I thought of him to be a very intelligent and caring individual.
I had no idea that Dr. had a passion for 18th century furniture, what a wonderful hobby.
May Dr. Kugelman rest in peace.
Paul Kiely
August 25, 2013
Dr. Lisa, My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers. Deb Keough
August 24, 2013
Dear Dr. Lisa and Family,
So sorry to learn of your Dad's passing Please accept my sincere sympathy at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Monica Kask
August 24, 2013
To all of you, Tom was such a great and gracious person. He will be missed. My prayers for you all. Joann Kidd
August 21, 2013
Dearest Karen & Family, may your cherished memories comfort you in the loss of such a lovely man. Pat & Chuck Leavens, Mansfield, CT
Chuck & Pat Leavens
August 21, 2013
Alice and Family: My deepest sympathies for your loss. Tom was a wonderful colleague and friend. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Bob Rosson
August 21, 2013
Dear Lisa and Family-my thoughts and sympathy are with you at this difficult time...cherish your sweet memories of your accomplished father.....Dorothy S. Rosenberg
August 21, 2013
Alice, I am so sorry to learn of this. Such a richly accomplished and good man, and such a treasure of family. Holding you all in prayer.
Nancy Evans Bush
August 21, 2013
Lisa and family, my deepest sympathies. Your father certainly lived a full and prosperous life. Sending lots of love and blessings at this difficult time...
Marisa Halm
August 21, 2013
Dr. Lisa and family. I am sorry for your loss. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting your father it is evident he was a great man and well loved. May you find comfort in the tough days ahead through your shared memories with family and friends.
Maggie Nolan-Thibault
August 20, 2013
"To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent." Buddha. My deepest sympathies to the Kugelman Family. Thank you Dr. Kugelman for your diligent brilliant care over the years. And thank you for Dr. Lisa who still provides me with that diligent Kugelman care.
Jeffrey Baver
August 20, 2013
Save travels Dr. K. You were a gem of a man and a heck of a doctor. Thank you for your years of great care and concern. Your legacy will live on through your wonderful family.
Ellen Risley
August 20, 2013
Dear Lisa and the Kugelman family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.Your father's smile and gentle demeanor meant a lot to my mother as a patient in past years.Being deaf and going to the doctor's office was sometimes an anxious experience for her.He always made her feel at ease.
Betsy Permedi
August 20, 2013
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Wendy Morneau
August 20, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Kugelman family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Ed Nadeau and Family
August 20, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Niamh Coleman
August 20, 2013
Tom's death is sad news, but also provokes many happy memories going back to 1936/1937 when we first became friends through our patents. Despite not seeing him often in recent decades, I will miss knowing he's around.
Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
August 20, 2013
Dr. Lisa and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Mavis Chappell
August 20, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Kugelman family. We will remember Dr. Tom as a kind and caring person. He was a wonderful person to work for. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Cathy and Sal Cerrigione
August 20, 2013
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. He was such a wonderful person, just loved his smile.
Heide Weise
August 20, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Lisa.
Susan Horstmann
August 20, 2013
Dr. Kugelman is my hero. As a teenager I suffered from alopecia. I went to several doctors and no one could help me until I went to Dr. Kugelman. He treated me and I had my hair back within a month. He was a wonderful doctor and I will never forget what he did for me.
My condolences to his family.
Donna Tracy
August 20, 2013
TO: Dr. Lisa C. Kugelman & family; I (Holly Ann Stewart)(former patient of your dear beloved) and present patient of Dr. Lisa C. Kugelman am sorry to read of the loss of your loved one. Dr. Thomas was a very nice and helpful doctor. I know and trust that the family will continue to keep up his great teachings. I see it in Dr. Lisa from years when I started seeing her & (God rest my Mom's soul also seen in Dr. Lisa). To all be strong & keep up the good work. Thanks to Dr. Thomas and all he has done & Dr. Lisa for all she has done and is still doing!
Holly Stewart
August 20, 2013
Dr. Lisa and the Kugelman Family,
My sincere sympathies on the loss of Dr. Kugelman. He was a fine doctor and person and I'm sure many will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
-Carol Lemieux
Carol Lemieux
August 20, 2013
Alice. my deepest sympathies on the loss of Tom, my prayers are with you.
Bruce Kramer
August 20, 2013
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