Irving "Bill" Rudman M.D.

1924 - 2014

Irving Rudman, MD Born: February 18, 1924 Died: February 20, 2014 Irving "Bill" Rudman, MD, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, February 20, 2014, at the age of 90 in Long Beach, California, with his children at his side. Dr. Rudman was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, February 18, 1924, to Barnet and Rose (Shore) Rudman and was married in 1953 to Eris Lorene Cameron. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 1996, a son, Paul Cameron Rudman in 1963, and his brother Daniel Rudman, MD in 1994. Dr. Rudman is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Gregg Lasley, and their son, Keegan Lasley, of Fort Collins, CO; his son, Phillip Irving Rudman, of Carey, ID; his children, Joshua and Jessica Rudman; his sister-in-law, Inge Rudman; nephew, Richard Rudman; niece, Nancy Rudman Young; dear friend and companion, Charleen Mullen of Long Beach, CA; and his Cameron family: Martha Cameron, nieces Nancy "Kat" Goshorn, Renee Smith, Martha Hall, Angie Headley, Sarah Cameron Taylor, and nephews Ronnie Cameron & Kendell Cameron. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1941 and attended Harvard College from 1941 to 1943, and during that time was accepted to Yale University School of Medicine, graduating in 1947. He served his medical internship at the University of Chicago Clinics from 1947-1948 and then a four-year surgical residency at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, New York, from 1949-1951 and again in 1953-1954. In the midst of his residency (1951-1953), he served as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps 1951-1953. He was a member of three National Honor Societies: Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi at Harvard and Alpha Omega Alpha at Yale. Dr. Rudman was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1955 and became a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1956. Dr. Rudman joined Hedges Clinic in Frankfort, Illinois, as a partner in 1954 and retired in 1996 after 42 years of practice at the Clinic and at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois, as a surgeon. As a physician leader, Dr. Rudman gave generously of his time and talents while serving as the Hospital 's Vice-President for Medical Affairs from 1990 to 1997. Dr. Rudman was instrumental in forming the largest paramedic system in the state--the Will-Grundy EMS System in 1975--and assisted the Hospital in becoming the third in the State to be designated as a Level II Trauma Center. Dr. Rudman was always looking to bring the most advanced technology and medicine to the Hospital including minimally invasive techniques to perform the area 's first cholecystectomy in the late 1980s. Dr. Rudman oversaw this cutting-edge minimally invasive procedure that became the gold standard in removing the gallbladder. He also facilitated the introduction of the 24-hour staffing of the Emergency Department by Board Certified physicians and was instrumental in the development of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Program, serving as the Medical Director of that program for many years. Dr. Rudman also served on the Board of Directors for Will County Health Department and was the recipient of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence in 2006. Until recently, Dr. Rudman continued to support his love of medicine by participating in Tumor Registry meetings, Cancer Committee meetings, and other medical functions. Dr. Rudman dearly loved his family, his pets, chocolate, sports - especially golf, travel, hosting dinner parties, harvesting Eris ' garden, volunteer work, and Rudman, Lasley and Cameron family visits. He was a collector of jokes and bon mots, had a passion for reading and continuing education. Dr. Rudman had a wonderful love and respect of the English language, taking any opportunities throughout his life to ensure it was spoken and written correctly. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Peter 's United Church of Christ: Rudman Memorial Fund, 12 Sauk Trail, Frankfort, IL 60423. or Silver Cross Hospital Foundation, Dr. "Bill" Rudman Scholarship Fund, 1900 Silver Cross Boulevard, New Lenox, IL 60451. Our family is humbled and grateful for all of the heartfelt letters we have received. Dr. Bill Rudman was truly a compassionate physician, father and friend.