Roger Bruce Cole

1932 - 2017

Roger Bruce Cole, aged 85, passed away peacefully at home with hospice care on July 15, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Ann, and four children: Gary Cole (Amy) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Laurie Radovan (Matt) of Santa Cruz, California; Dan Cole (Debbie) of Lodi, Wisconsin; and Nancy Cole of Chicago, as well as five grandchildren - Graham and Alaina Cole, Alex Radovan, and Hannah and Sophie Cole. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eleanor Goodfriend Cole; his brothers Robert and Richard Cole; and his newborn grandson Abraham Cole. Roger was born January 2, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School and the University of Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy, swam freestyle for legendary coach Matt Mann and wrote music and lyrics for award-winning shows. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his internship at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland. He served his residency first at the San Francisco County Hospital on the Stanford Service and later at the Children's Convalescent Home in Palo Alto, California. Roger proudly served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, stationed at Oakland Naval Hospital in California. He moved to Chicago in 1962 to begin a fellowship in the newly emerging field of pediatric cardiology at Children's Memorial Hospital where he was associated with renowned surgeon Willis J. Potts. Roger served over four decades on the faculty of Northwestern University Medical School where he achieved the rank of clinical professor. During his distinguished career, he won acclaim as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in recognition of his commitment to resident education. In 1972/73 he spent a sabbatical year in London, first at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and later at the British Medical Association where he authored a monograph to guide pediatricians in diagnosing congenital heart conditions. In 1982, at the age of 50, Roger launched his own private practice, which became and remains one of the leading pediatric cardiology groups in the Midwest. He pioneered the concept of establishing satellite clinics, bringing his expertise to patients by traveling to distant and underserved communities from Valparaiso, Indiana to Great Lakes Naval Station. Throughout his time in private practice he continued to train young doctors, offering much sought-after rotations in his office. After his retirement, The Children's Heart Foundation conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Roger in 2015. A memorial celebration of Roger's life will be held on Sunday, July 23 at 3:00 p.m. in Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Memorial gifts may be made in the name of Roger B. Cole, MD to The Children's Heart Foundation or University of Cincinnati Health Foundation as outlined below: Donations to The Children's Heart Foundation may be sent to P.O. Box 244, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 or via this web link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/DrRogerColeMemorial. Donations to the UC Health Foundation support the creation of a Teaching Excellence Award in Pediatric Cardiology. Gifts may be sent to the University of Cincinnati Health Foundation, P.O. Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219 or via their web site: www.uc.edu/give. Arrangements by Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home 847-256-5700.