Frank Howard DeLand M.D.

DeLand, Frank Howard, M.D.,

died Friday, February 27, passing peacefully in his sleep.

Born July 2, 1921 in Jackson, Michigan, to parents Frank Howard DeLand and Eleanor Marie Thrun DeLand, Frank led a life dedicated to family, education and service.

Frank served in the US Army Air Corps, flying reconnaissance in the Pacific during World War II, becoming a member of The China Burma India Hump Pilots Association and earning a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the 70th AAF Base Unit - 103rd Weather Group, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the American Theatre Campaign Medal, the Victory Medal, and the Chinese Memorial Ribbon.

Upon his return from the Pacific Theatre, Frank earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan before attending medical school at the University of Louisville, graduating in 1952 as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He completed his postgraduate medical training in Pathology at the Mayo Clinic and moved to Lakeland, Florida, where he was named Director of the Pathology Laboratory at the Morell Memorial Hospital and Medical Examiner for Polk County. Later in his career, he completed training in Nuclear Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and served on the faculty of the University of Florida School of Medicine, the University of Kentucky School of Medicine, and the State University of New York School of Medicine in Syracuse, NY. He maintained an active appointment at the affiliated VA Hospitals, retiring as the Chief of Staff for the VA Hospital in Syracuse, NY. During his distinguished academic career, he lectured both nationally and internationally, served as the editor of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine for 10 years, authored multiple books and papers, and contributed to the development of the first automated blood culture system, the BD Bactec, earning him a certificate of appreciation and membership in the University of Kentucky Chapter of Sigma Xi.

But to those who loved him, Frank is not remembered as a doctor or a professor or a pilot. Frank is remembered as "Pop," the principled and loving patriarch - generous and kind, stern but wise, and armed with a wit that charmed.

Pop loved antique cars and he loved Lawrence Welk. He enjoyed opera, tennis and the big brass sounds of the Big Band heyday. But above all, he loved his wife of nearly 66 years, Mary Maitland Schwab DeLand, his four children, Dr. Eleanor Agatha DeLand Lederer (Dr. Paul Lederer), Dr. Mary Maitland DeLand, Dr. Frank Howard DeLand (Dr. Candace Walker) and Dr. Sarah Marie DeLand - and the grandchildren at his feet calling "Pop!" and tugging on his sleeves, Mary Maitland Lederer, Dr. Paul Andrew Lederer ((Dr. Swatki Lederer), Stephanie Marie Lederer, Philip DeLand Lederer, Dr. Claire Marie Noell and Andrew Thomas Noell.

A man of infinite patience and unending love for his family, Frank led by example and though our time with him has passed, we continue his legacy in the choices we make every day, guided by the lessons he shared, the stories he told and the love he gave without question.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church, 2119 Payne St. with burial in Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane.