Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Louis Munchmeyer Obituary
Louis Wells Munchmeyer, Jr., 70, of 119 Maplewood Road, Ithaca, died on Tuesday, August, 19, 2008 at home.
The son of the late Louis Wells and Margaret Gordon Munchmeyer, Lou was born December 15, 1937 in Richmond, VA. The family moved frequently during World War II when his father was an engineer in the US Chemical Corps, and later for his father's work. As a youth in Binghamton, NY, Lou was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. After graduating from the Salisbury School in Salisbury, CT, he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for both undergraduate and medical studies. At Michigan he was a member of Sigma Phi undergraduate fraternity, Nu Sigma Nu, medical fraternity and the medical honorary, Alpha Omega Alpha. He was a rotating intern at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
In 1964, he married Margaret (Niehuss), whom he met while he was a medical student. They headed directly to the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico where Lou, along with another physician in the US Public Health Service, provided medical care for Apaches of all ages. They performed their own lab and diagnostic testing, delivered babies, set bones, administered the hospital, and even drove the ambulance and provided veterinary care on occasion. The years in New Mexico were among the best in Lou's and Margaret's 44 years of marriage.
He returned to Ann Arbor in 1966 for a residency in Internal Medicine followed by a fellowship in Gastroenterology. In 1970, Lou, Margaret and their two young daughters, Ann, born in Mescalero, and Kathy, born in Ann Arbor, came to Ithaca to join the established Internal Medicine group, Ensworth, Kilgore and Barol. As the first gastroenterologist in Ithaca, it gave him great satisfaction to be involved in developing that specialty over the years. He served a term as President of the Tompkins County Medical Society and as President of the Medical Staff of the Hospital.
Upon retirement, he continued to practice general medicine, as a volunteer at the Ithaca Free Clinic where he was the Medical Director and a member of the Ithaca Health Alliance board until January, 2008.
In addition to his family and medicine, Lou greatly enjoyed gardening, fly fishing, raising tropical fish and playing tennis and golf. In recent years, spending time with his daughters' families near Boston, in Sanibel and Ithaca gave him special joy, as did traveling the US and the world with good friends and family.
In addition to his wife, Lou is survived by two daughters and six grandsons: Ann Wells Munchmeyer (Scott E. Healy), Tyler, Jason, Brian and Matthew Healy of Lexington, MA; Kathryn M. (Wallace Clinton) Kendall, Ethan and Reed Kendall of Winchester, MA. His sister, Margaret M. Lehman (John) of Audubon, PA survives. Also surviving are three nephews and a niece: John G. Lehman (Karen) of King of Prussia, PA; James G. Lehman (Beth) of Exton, PA; John N. Niehuss of Los Angeles, CA, Juliette Niehuss (J.P. Fawcett) of Washington, DC. Also surviving are brother-in-law, John M. Niehuss of Washington, DC and several uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, August 23 at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 315 N. Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 with a reception to follow in Dodd's Hall in the church. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, expressions in Lou's memory may be made to The Scholarship Fund at Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850; or to The Ithaca Free Clinic, c/o Ithaca Health Alliance, Box 362, Ithaca, NY 14850; or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Louis Munchmeyer
Jen Hoffman
March 22, 2025
May memories of him be a blessing. He was a wonderful person who deeply cared for his patients. I still think about him and his many acts of kindness/service. I feel blessed to have known him.
M.P.
November 24, 2020
Dr. Munchmeyer was a wonderful presence in the medical community. He was so dedicated to his patients and always made them feel like family. He will never be forgotten. I am grateful to have known him as a patient and as a friend.
R Hillman
September 3, 2020
I remember how much he cared for his patients and how much the Ithaca Free Clinic meant to him. He was such a humanitarian and cared deeply for all his patients. He will be greatly missed and I send my condolences to his family.
Debbie and Larry Nichols
September 3, 2008
I wish to express our thanks for all the hours Dr. Munchmeyer spent with his patients. There can be none to take his place. 30 years ago he saved my husbands life and there have been few days when I have not thought of him and given thanks that he was there in 1978 when we needed him most. We are so sorry for your loss.
Marion & Bruce Schneider
August 27, 2008
To Margaret, it is with deep sympathy that we write of the passing of such a good friend.Lou was our friend as well as a wonderful doctor.He has been in our lives for many years and we will always miss him.We thank God that he has been in our lives for as long as he has.
With love,
Cayuga Medical Center Outpatient Physical Therapy at Island Health
August 26, 2008
To the Munchmeyer Family our deepest sympathy for your loss. Louis was a great person, physican and will always be remembered
Karen Knudson
August 25, 2008
Dear Margaret,
My heart goes out to you at this very sad and bittersweet time and I will think of you as you go through this difficult transition.
Karen Knudson
Carlo Pellegrino
August 25, 2008
Dear Ann and family, I received these very sad news by my frend James Bramble. I knew you in Italy and I remember you with sincere sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Yours sincerely
Susan Seamon
August 24, 2008
It saddens me to write this today. The county, state and world has lost a wonderful doctor today. I heard of Louis Munchmeyer's death. I may be very biased in my statements. My mother worked in his office for many years and without his help in speeding up an appointment with a specialist in Syracuse, my grand-daughter would have died due to her seizure disorder. I count my blessings every day that Dr. Munchmeyer was in our lives. What a wonderful man, he will be missed, but what wonderful things he did for so many while he was here. And the little girl draws pictures of smiling girls, and now smiling angels. Thank you for all you did in your lifetime. You touched so many many lives.
Susan Seamon (Wheeler)
Cierra's grandmother
Marcia Herrick RN
August 24, 2008
I witnessed a most deserving tribute to Dr. Munchmeyer having attended the wonderful heartfelt service at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca on 8/23/2008.
I worked with Dr. Munchmeyer for many years at Cayuga Medical Center. When he walked into a room everything just seemed better in minutes. I believe there is no better medicine than the gentle, understanding, compassionate, skilled bedside manner. His genuine concern for all touch so many in this community.
We have been blessed to have had the counsel of a wise and compassionate doctor and friend.
I will have continued respect and admiration for him.
May God bless him and his loving family now and forever.
Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the people you can,
In every place you can,
At all the times you can,
As long as ever you can.
Lisa and Matthew Rodrigues
August 23, 2008
Dear Margaret, Ann, Kathy and families,
We are so sorry to hear the news. Please take some comfort in the wonderful memories you have and smile when you think about how many lives Lou has touched. He was a wonderful man. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Love, Lisa and Matt
Lori Bellavigna-Robbins
August 23, 2008
Dear Ann, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your dad was a fantastic doctor and will be dearly missed by the Ithaca community. Peace be with you all during this difficult time. Take care and god bless.
Lisa Skeval-Gorton
August 22, 2008
Dear Margaret and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dr. Munchmeyer was a wonderful man and physician. May his expertise and caring ways continue on at CMC and the free clinic.
Take care of yourselves,
Lisa Skeval Gorton
Wendi Wright
August 22, 2008
Ann and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have many wonderful memories of spending time with you all growing up in Ithaca. Spending LONG weekends at your home, you we're like my second family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Donna Vose
August 22, 2008
What a wonderful doctor. My husband was a patient and deeply respected him. At my husband's passing Dr. Munchmeyer took the time out of his busy schedule to send me a letter. It meant so much. It was with great sadness to learn of his passing. God bless you all. Donna Vose
Mary Ann Compton
August 21, 2008
I just want to convey my sympathy to you & your family for your huge loss. Dr. Munchmeyer was a very caring doctor and was very good to my father until the end of his life in the 80's. Dad always spoke very highly of Dr. Munchmeyer
and even shared his first name. Because of this, I have always felt a special appreciation for this good doctor that I, unfortunately,never had the opportunity to meet.
Patricia Wheeler
August 21, 2008
God puts certain people on this earth
to do great things. Munch was one of these people.
A caring person,friend and boss for
20 years.He was loved and will be
missed by everyone he touched.
God stretched out his arms,took
away his pain and brought him
home
we will miss you
Love
Pat and Norman Wheeler
Linda Bower
August 21, 2008
What a shame. They always say "the good die young". Such is the case with Dr. Munchmeyer. I met Dr. M when I first moved to Ithaca in 1969 and choose him as my personal physican. I never regretted that decision. Later on I worked for his office, Drs. Barol, Kilgore and Munchmeyer, as one of the nurses. He remained my doctor for 30 + years. I cried tremendously when I got the letter he sent to all his patients explaining why he was quitting internal medicine. It felt like losing a beloved friend. Fortunately, I got to see him again when I developed some stomach ailments. I was so thankful to work for him and to be treated by him. I will miss him greatly. He was the kindest and most caring man and doctor with a terrific bedside manner that I have ever known. My deepest, heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to his family and friends.
Scott Gingras
August 21, 2008
Ann, I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with your family.
Scott Gingras
August 21, 2008
Ann, I'm so sorry to hear of your Father's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Don Lueder
August 21, 2008
Our thoughts are with Margaret and family. Lou was my friend and my parents' doctor for so many years. What a loss.
Lois Fletcher McFall
August 21, 2008
What a wonderful man who touched so many lives! Dr. Munchmeyer was always there for my family and helped us so much throughout the years. He was so giving to the community. We will never forget his kindness and great knowledge. My father was blessed to have such a wonderful friend. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends and the community he gave so much to.
Dawn Jewell
August 21, 2008
All of us at C.M.C. will miss him greatly. He was the best diagnostician around. Many times
3-4 Dr. would puzzle over a diagnosis
and Dr. Munchmeyer would say oh he's got ---. And he was always right. He really
carred about his patients. We were fortunate indead to have him in this community.
Wendy
August 21, 2008
Dr Munchmeyer was my physician for many, many year until I re-located to Florida. I have never had or probably never will have a Dr. that was so kind and caring regarding my health and well being as he was. We had a standing joke, that he was to call me by my first name, since using my last name made me feel old, even though he was just a few years older than I was. So whenever I had an appointment with him, he always remembered to use my first name. I know his family will miss him terribly however, it should give them great peace knowing what a wonderful man he was, and how he was such a caring, gentle Dr. to all of his patients. Ithaca will truly miss a gracious, caring person, especially when Doctors of today, don't or can't find the time to make their patients feel like they are the only one that the Doctor has to take care of for the day. I will forever be grateful for that fine quality of his and the wonderful way he took care of me when I needed it, I will miss him as I'm sure everyone of his patients will.
Wendy
August 21, 2008
Dr Munchmeyer was my physician for many, many year until I re-located to Florida. I have never had or probably never will have a Dr. that was so kind and caring regarding my health and well being as he was. We had a standing joke, that he was to call me by my first name, since using my last name made me feel old, even though he was just a few years older than I was. So whenever I had an appointment with him, he always remembered to use my first name. I know his family will miss him terribly however, it should give them great peace knowing what a wonderful man he was, and how he was such a caring, gentle Dr. to all of his patients. Ithaca will truly miss a gracious, caring person, especially when Doctors of today, don't or can't find the time to make their patients feel like they are the only one that the Doctor has to take care of for the day. I will forever be grateful for that fine quality of his and the wonderful way he took care of me when I needed it, I will miss him as I'm sure everyone of this patients will.
Cynthia Burger, Executive Director
August 21, 2008
The members and staff of the Tompkins County Medical Society are saddened to lose their colleague. Dr. Munchmeyer was a member of the Society for 38 years and greatly respected. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Melissa (House) Goodson
August 21, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I was friends with Ann from grade school up into high school. I have some very nice memories of spending time at your home. May God bless and keep you during these times of grief.
Jerry & Lori Kraus
August 21, 2008
Margaret and Family -
Lou is loved and missed by so many. Our deepest condolences and love to you all.
August 21, 2008
A kind and gentle man, with a heart big enough to love the world. It is unbelievable how many lives you have touched.
We will miss you greatly, Vicki
Lynn & John Scott
August 21, 2008
Our hearts are heavy to lose a dear friend. We have been fortunate to remain friends with the Munchmeyers since first meeting them in the 1970s as Jacksonville neighbors. We send our prayers to his family and to Lou's many friends and former patients in the Ithaca community. We are sorry not to be there with you at this time.
Sue Nicholas Miller
August 21, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have the fondest memories of spending days on end at the Munchmeyer house with Kathy and our group of friends and Dr. and Mrs. Munchmeyer opening their hearts and their home to us. You always felt welcome in their home.
Not only was I lucky enough to have known Dr. Munchmeyer, but also was my Uncle Joe. He was his doctor for many years until his retirement. It was my uncle's good fortune to have Dr. Munchmeyer as his doctor for so many years and we credit his good health to the wonderful and compassionate care that he received. To quote my uncle, "He was an excellent doctor."
We were all truly blessed to have known such a wonderful man.
clifford arthur
August 21, 2008
to my former doctor of 30+ years,
rest in peace.
Jill Howland
August 21, 2008
He was my mother’s physician many years ago and due to his excellent care, referred her to the Cleveland Clinic for a special surgery that actually saved her life and that gave her 5 precious more years. What a gift and one I'll never forget. He’ll always be an angel to myself and my family. Wonderful man and physician.
walter depew
August 21, 2008
With deep appreciation for care of Clara M. Depew during the 70's and 80's. Pat Guinan and Walter Depew
CIERRA
August 21, 2008
FOREVER MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Laurie Perko McKinny
August 21, 2008
Mrs. Munchmeyer,
I am sorry to read about your husband passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
Andrew Frost
August 20, 2008
To my former neighbor and Doctor for 30 some years....rest in PEACE
Bonnie Griffith
August 20, 2008
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Dr. Munchmeyer's Family. I was one of his patients, several times, as were both of my parents. We could have not had a more loving and caring man care for us. I recall one time as my Mom was waking up from one of his procedures, she was aging and still confused by the sedative. When he walked in to check on her, she wanted to thank him, and tell him how much she "loved" him, and wanted to give him a kiss. Realizing her confusion, he never hesitated for a second, and obliged her by putting his cheek down so she could kiss and thank him in 'her way'. We laughed as we realized she was not yet fully recovered from the sedative, but she meant every word. He never forgot that, and when he saw us during future appointments and procedures, he always brought it up to her, and they would laugh. While I appreciate the very competant staff he left behind, he will always have a place in my heart for not just being a professional, but for having a heart and such a wonderful bedside manner.
Bonnie Griffith
Carolee and Jan Vink
August 20, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time.
Lou was a wonderful and caring man. He taught those who knew him about compassion and love. A wonderful mind, a wonderful healer, and it's a blessing to have known him for the short time we did.
pat baker
August 20, 2008
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Showing 1 - 40 of 40 results
Make a Donation
in Louis Munchmeyer's name
Memorial Events
for Louis Munchmeyer
How to support Louis's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Louis Munchmeyer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
