Lee A. Feldkamp

Novi - Lee A. Feldkamp died in Novi, MI on March 13, 2021 after an 18 year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Lee was born August 27, 1942, the eldest child of Lee E. Feldkamp, M.D. and Jeanne Girard Feldkamp. During his elementary school years, the family moved to Plymouth where Lee graduated from Plymouth High School. Lee spent his entire college career at the University of Michigan, culminating in a PhD in nuclear engineering. He then joined the Physics Department of Ford Research Laboratory as a staff scientist in 1969 where he remained until retirement in 2008.

During the course of his career, Lee co-authored a book, Dynamics of Perfect Crystals, was granted a dozen patents, and had published over one hundred scientific papers. Lee traveled the world presenting papers on micro CT technology, fuzzy logic and neural networks. He was past president of the International Neural Network Society and selected as a Distinguished Graduate of the U of M Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

One of Lee's greatest accomplishments was his invention of an algorithm improving the clarity of micro CT images which is still used today in fields as varied as medicine and archaeology.

Lee worked with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the area of artificial intelligence. He collaborated in the development of a chip at the beginning of the breakthrough of neural network technology, taking it into the mainstream. For Aston Martin, Lee designed a chip which went into production of a luxury vehicle. Also, in the field of neural networks, Lee was a consultant working with AmericaOne, leading United States challenger for America's Cup 2000 in yacht racing, developing new technology in the area of wind prediction.

All of these projects were to varying degrees collaborative efforts. Lee was always scrupulous about sharing credit, particularly with the younger members of his team, indicative of his modesty and kindness.

Lee loved his work, but in his free time, enjoyed hiking, cross-country skiing and especially tennis. He was a lover of all music, particularly classical, including modern composers. From his childhood, Lee spent many happy summer vacations with his family on Lake Huron near Forest, Ontario. He was a great fan of U of M football and basketball.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary Arbour and brother-in-law, John Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Rose O'Connor, son, Timothy of Ann Arbor, brother, Robert (Kitty) of Canton, sister, Joan Thomas of Lake Worth, FL, brother, Gerald (Linda) of Beaverton, OR, brother, Gregory (Diane Phelps) of Southlake, TX, brother, Douglas (Laurel) of Dearborn, sister, Jeannette Schwab (John) of East Tawas, brother, James (Barbara) of Grand Ledge, brother-in-law, Robert Arbour of Westland, sister-in-law, Judy Zakrzewski of Marshall, brother-in-law, Patrick (Kenna) Zakrzewski of Mt. Pleasant, WI and many nieces and nephews.

Lee was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine Neurosurgery DBS Team for enabling the quality of life Lee enjoyed almost until the end. Thanks particularly to Wilma MacKenzie, N.P. and Donna Rossini, N.P. who followed Lee for years in the Geriatric Neurology Clinic. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Medicine Neurosurgery Department, DBS Program, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive SPC 5338, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5338.

A Memorial Service will be held later this year.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Detroit Free Press & The Detroit News from Mar. 16 to Mar. 21, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee Feldkamp

6 Entries

John F. Salan Vice President PHS Class of 1960

June 7, 2022

God bless you Lee. You were probably the brightest of the bright in the Class of 1960 and your accomplishments clearly showed that . Rest well in heaven my friend you have truly earned it.

Tom and Colleen Montgomery

March 19, 2021

We are sorry to hear the news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lee's family at this difficult time.

Lee was an inspiration to me early in my career at Ford Research. Like a favorite professor, he was somebody who really stood out. He loved his job and the people he worked with. I have always tried to follow his example, to find the work I love, to embrace it, and to enjoy the ride with my fabulous Ford colleagues. Learning of his passing brings back so many fond memories. I am blessed to have known him. He is missed.

Scott Staley

March 18, 2021

I am very sorry to hear the news of Lee's death. Dr. Feldkamp was one of the great scientists of the Ford Research Laboratory. It was a honor to be in the Labs with Lee for two of his four decades at Ford. I remember him as one who always had time to consult and mentor colleagues, and you always felt smarter coming off a conversation with Lee. He leaves an incredible body of work as an intellectual legacy and he leaves behind hundreds, if not thousands, of colleagues who have been directly or indirectly influenced by his technical and personal contributions. My condolences to Lee's family at this difficult time. I miss Lee Feldkamp.

Robert McCune

March 18, 2021

I'm so sorry to learn of Lee's passing. I began with Ford Research in Physics in 1969; same year as Lee. His office was just a few feet away from mine. He was simply one of the brightest people I came to know through Ford Research, which was in itself a magnet for good scientists in the 1960's. Every time I hear about CT, I think of the work that Lee and Jerry Jession did on this subject before it became a standard procedure at the doctor's office. Lee had an infectious laugh and smile and simply a great fellow. Sorry for the family's loss.

Bill Powers

March 18, 2021

We were saddened to hear of Lee's passing. Two strong UM PhDs, who became Ford Sci Lab scientists after graduation, passing within a week of each other, with Irv Salmeen's passing last week. As noted in the obituary, Lee proved his brilliance in many areas and especially noteworthy for a "car guy" was the Feldkamp filter for CT scans in the early 80s! Later using his mathematical brilliance, we all had fun watching the AmericaOne team, as well as his contributions to Aston Martin. When dealing with quality, we all had to read the book "You'll Know It When You See It." When meeting Lee for the first time, after a few words, you knew his brilliance immediately and you knew it when you saw it. Rest in peace, Lee, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Bill and Linda Powers

Jay Densmore

March 18, 2021

I’m so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing . I grew up with the Feldkamp s in Plymouth. What a great family! They were special, not just to our neighborhood, but to the community. We always knew Lee was destined to be & do something special. Even as a young man, his brilliance was evident. But , he would take the time to “try” to explain things to us in a way we might understand. He’s was a great athlete too. I saw him once run down a Phesant, catch it, show it to us and then explained why he was able to do so. I know everyone looked up to Lee on many different levels. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results