Dr. Frederick P. Poppe

POPPE, DR. FREDERICK P., prominent Coral Gables physician, passed away Monday, April 12 at Doctors' Hospital. He was 89. The son of Dr. Frederick W. Poppe and Florence Paul Poppe, he was born in Minneapolis, MN. December 4, 1914. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1939 and moved to Miami in 1940 to begin his medical practice. In 1941, he married Danner Baker. They had three children: Penney, Frederick P. Jr. (Rick) and Danner (Dee). During WWII, Dr. Poppe first served with Pan American Air Ferries as a flight surgeon, setting up the medical inspection base for all bomber flight crews entering England at Newquay, Cornwall. At some point PAAF became part of the Army Air Corps. When he returned to the States, Major Poppe was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. as Chief of Aviation Medicine. A major focus for Dr. Poppe was Doctors' Hospital, and he was one of its Founders. He and 19 other young doctors, inspired and led by Dr. John T. Macdonald, began construction in 1948. He served as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1971 to 1975. During that time, the new wing was added. The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation was founded when Doctors' Hospital was sold to HealthSouth in 1992. Dr. Poppe served on the Board of Directors of the Foundation from its inception until his death. He was also a Founder Member of the Coral Reef Yacht Club and of the Rod & Reel Club (Master Angler, Commodore '73, Commodore/President '78), and a member of NABS (an international group of avid anglers). In addition, Fred was a long-time member of the Riviera Country Club and a current member of the Country Club of Coral Gables and of the CCCG Fleet and 10th Holers. Predeceased by Danner, his wife of 42 years, and his sister Winifred and brother Rex, he is survived by a large family. Fred leaves to cherish in memory and love his wife of 20 years, Marge, his children Penney Burnett (Bill), Rick Poppe (Kathy) and Dee Johanson; grandchildren Paul, Jonathan and Michele Poppe, Danny Johanson and Tony Middlebrook; step daughters Dottie Carson (Bob) and Betty Woods, step-grandson Bobby Carson and step- granddaughter Katie Myers (Mikie) "Grand Poppe" to them: nieces Jill Perez, Joy Faust, Linda Hilton, Diane Haley and many grand nieces and nephews. He was a happy, kind, loving man with a great sense of humor. He made his life count by all he did in his lifetime, and will be missed so very much by so many. A memorial service will be held at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 24. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, 1550 Madruga, Avenue, Suite 215, Coral Gables, Florida 33146. Funds will be earmarked for the DJTMF Center for Medical Genetics. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.