Fred Walter Schoonmaker M.D.

BOZEMAN - Fred Walter Schoonmaker, M.D., passed away Jan. 6, 2005, at his home in Bozeman, Mont. He was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Newcastle, Wyo. to Gwynne Fred and Francis (Noble) Schoonmaker.
Fred received his Bachelor of Science degree from Duke University in 1952. Upon graduation, he joined the Air Force and rose to the rank of Major as a jet fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict, serving from 1953-1955. Upon completion of his military service, Fred pursued his desire to become a cardiologist by entering medical school in 1956, receiving his M.D. degree in 1961 from the Colorado University Medical School. He served his internship at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C., where he completed Post Graduate Training as Junior, Senior, and Chief Residents in Internal Medicine followed by Fellowships in Cardiology at Duke University and at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Following his formal training, he worked as an Associate in Medicine at the Duke University Hospital from 1966-67. He also served as the Chief of Cardiovascular Section and Assistant Chief of Internal Medicine at the V.A. Hospital in Durham, N.C.
In September 1967, Dr. Schoonmaker accepted a position at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colo. to start the cardiovascular laboratory, where he participated in various medical, research and management positions. While practicing at St. Luke's, Fred was instrumental in creating and practicing many innovative cardiac procedures as well as pioneering a cardiac catheterization technique known as the "Percutaneous Preformed Single Catheter Coronary Arteriography." Dr. Schoonmaker was acutely aware his knowledge and experience should be shared throughout his profession, which inspired him to found the Rocky Mountain Heart Research Institute, where he served as President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. His forward thinking and dedication to patient care was a primary driving force behind creating the "Life Flight" helicopter patient transport service in the Denver area.
Dr. Schoonmaker's innovative and pioneering work was highlighted by academic appointments at Duke University Hospital and University of Colorado Medical School. He was a Clinical Investigator for the American Heart Association and was awarded a Three Year Teaching Award from the American Heart Association, the Golden Heart Award from the American Heart Association, and the Golden Apple (teaching) Award. Fred seldom denied a request to share his knowledge with his profession either by publishing a new procedure or presenting a lecture at a university or professional meeting.
Dr. Schoonmaker's association and participation within the following professional societies is a testament to his dedication to his profession. Fred was a Fellow with the American College of Angiology, a Fellow with the International College of Cardiology, a Fellow and Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians, a Fellow for the American College of Physicians, a Fellow and charter member of the Board of Trustees of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and a member of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and President (1978-79) of the Colorado Heart Association.
Fred was a member of the American Heart Association, North Carolina Heart Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, Society of Clinical Investigators, Academic Society for Electrophysiologists, Colorado and Denver Medical Societies, Denver Clinical and Pathological Society and the National Institute of Health Angioplasty Steering Committee.
He held medical staff appointments at: Duke University Hospital, Active Staff, Durham, N.C.; AMI Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital, Active Staff, Denver, Colo.; President of St. Luke's Medical Staff (1978-79); and University of Colorado Medical Center, Associate Professor, Denver, Colo. He was also a member of the Board of Directors and the Editorial Review Board of the Mended Heart Association, and the Editorial Board for the Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis.
In 1954, Fred married Barbara Morss. They were divorced in 1980. He married Janis Tschetter Goertzen in Denver in 1984.
Fred is survived by his wife, Jan, of Bozeman; children, Denica Schoonmaker of Denver, Colo., Peter (Janice) Schoonmaker of Sheridan, Wyo., Shauna (Paul) Roberts of Cody, Wyo., Annie Schoonmaker of Sheridan, Wyo., Diane (Douglas) Zimmerman of Sacramento, Calif., Todd (Anne) Goertzen of Bozeman; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ann.
A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m., at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 860 South Third, Lander, Wyo. The family asks that memorials be made to: Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 915 Highland Blvd., Bozeman, MT 59715 or to: The Schoonmaker Family Park Memorial Fund, c/o 1st Interstate Bank, Lander, WY 82520.