Mickman, James Kevin Francis Brenner MD, FCCP Born 7-20-53, died peacefully at home Easter Sunday 3-31-13 at age 59 of GBM. Beloved by many, he loved his family, friends, colleagues and work, dinner parties, reading, sailing, travel and history. A true communitarian, his mind was active and his energy was boundless. Graduate of Fridley High School, then served in the US Navy as hospital corpsman and OR tech. Attended UMN Medical School, Internal Medicine Residency at Hennepin County, and Pulmonary fellowship at UMN. Board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. 25 year physician with Health Partners. His involvement in his community ran deep. After residency, was an ARC 'camp doc' in a SE Asian refugee camp. He worked on numerous boards and volunteered with many organizations throughout his life, including MinorsAsia, 20 years with Hennepin Co. Homeless project as doctor, ICSI technology assessment, People Serving People, numerous roles with 1st Universalist church, Smiley resident mentor, Tibetan Refugee Resettlement doctor, doctor to El Salvador hunger strikers, peace activist, member of MFSO, adjunct professor at UMN, and lecturer across the metro on various health care topics. He was acknowledged as a Minnesota Monthly 'top doc, a Health Partners teacher of the year, and a notable brain tumor survivor of Humor to Fight the Tumor. After his diagnosis in 2008, he helped navigate brain tumor patients through the medical care system and helped to set up a brain tumor center at Health Partners. Survived by his loving eternal wife, Sarai Brenner; daughters, Emelia and Sophia; son 'outlaw' Daniel; mother, Lucy; brothers, John and Chris, and 'SistaBeth'. Preceded in death by father, John Victor, brother, Mark, sister, Jody and nephew, Thomas Plotkin. Memorial service 4-13-13 at 2 pm, 1st Universalist Church, 34th and Dupont Ave S. Memorials to Humor to Fight the Tumor, 1st Universalist Church, Health Partners Brain Tumor Advocacy, Hennepin County Health Care for Homeless Project, People Serving People, American Refugee Committee, or Minors Asia.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
