Robert Kan

Robert Oscar Kan was a hidden child in the Netherlands during the Second World War, and immigrated to the US in his early 20's. He went on to earn a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan (1961), and then an MD from Case Western Reserve University (1969). He completed a residency in surgery (Yale, 1971) and orthopedic surgery (Case Western Reserve University, 1974), and worked as an orthopedic surgeon in Baltimore for nearly thirty years. He was married for 23 years to Dr. Jean Schlatter Kan, with whom he had two children. He came out at the age of 60, and was a strong advocate for gay rights. Robert was a lover of classical music, art, and literature. He played the harpsichord, and over the years built three harpsichords as a hobby. He loved to swim, travel, and to spend time with his family and his many, many friends. He often returned to Holland to spend time with his sister Winifred. In 2008, Robert wrote and published an auto-biography detailing his childhood experiences (How Warm it Was, and How Far). Robert showed us all how to enjoy life every day. He is survived by his two children and their spouses(Justin, Miriam, Lisa, and Corey), three grandchildren (Ruby, Leah, and Zach), and by his husband Derrick Booze. He will be missed. Should you wish to honor Bob's memory with a donation, please give to the Human Rights Campaign or to Doctors Without Borders.