Arnold Kelz, M.D. D.O.

Arnold Kelz, M.D. D.O., died December 30, 2016. He was born in 1933 in New York City, to the late Benjamin and Florence Kelz.

Dr. Kelz grew up and attended school in New York City. He received a basketball scholarship to Long Island University, from which he graduated from with a degree in Pharmacy. He then attended and graduated from the University of Chicago's School of Osteopathic Medicine. Subsequently, he attended the University of Washington's College of Medicine in Seattle, from which he received his medical degree. He was one of the first M.D., D.O. physicians in the country.

Dr. Kelz was in general practice in Michigan prior to taking a psychiatric residency. He was Chief Resident at Lafayette Clinic in Detroit. He was board-certified by the National Association of Psychiatry. Acknowledged as an expert in the field, his papers on the use of psychiatric drugs were published in several journals. Dr. Kelz was listed in the publication of Who's Who. He was Chief of Psychiatry at several hospitals in Michigan, Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia.

He was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed playing golf. Arnold won the Dearborn, Michigan Country Club Golf Invitation Championship in 1968.

Upon retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Anne to China, Europe, Alaska, Canada, and throughout the United States. They enjoyed many cruises. Arnold was an avid reader.

Dr. Kelz had been a member of the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Association of Psychiatry. He was a member of Temple Beth Shalom in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Dr. Kelz is survived by his loving wife Anne Klarman Kelz, brother-in-law Edward Klarman (Barbara), niece Emily Dressler, his colleagues, his friends, his good works, and his good name.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Graveside services will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery. Afterwards, there will be a reception at Temple Beth Shalom, 227 Beal Pkwy NW.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to Temple Beth Shalom or the Hadassah Medical Organization.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com