Elliot Lew Coles M.D.

Coles, Elliot Lew, M.D. Died peacefully June 19, 2008, age 82, at Saint John's on the Lake. Survived briefly by his wife Marcia. Further survived by sons Peter and David, as well as sons John and Michael from an earlier marriage. Preceded in death by his parents Mary (nee Abrohams) and Joseph Cohn. Elliot was born in Green Bay in 1925, but grew up in Whitefish Bay, WI. He attended Milwaukee University School where he was a standout athlete, especially excelling in football. After high school, Elliot joined the Navy and was sent to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA for pre-med training. He was proud to have played tennis and football at the collegiate level. Just after WWII ended, he continued on to Johns Hopkins for medical school. After internships and training in St. Louis and Chicago, Elliot spent two years in active military service during the Korean War, serving in Tokyo, Osaka, and Matsushima, as well as with the "hand service" in the Valley Forge Army Hospital. In 1954, Elliot was accepted to an orthopedic residency program in Hines, Illinois (now Loyola), followed by a year of children's orthopedic surgery at Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in Honolulu. After a short time in Milwaukee, Elliot spent a year practicing in Fairbanks Alaska, where his extracurricular activities included skiing, mountain climbing, airplane flying, and extensive fishing and hunting. After Alaska, Elliot finally returned to Milwaukee where he set up a private practice out of Mt. Sinai Hospital. In 1974, he met Marcia on a cross-country ski outing with the Vagabond ski club, and they married in 1975. He was a curious world traveler who visited dozens of countries and studied many languages. He was especially interested in the history of medicine, international medicine, and improving American-Soviet relations. Though his body wore down in his later years, his intelligence, his energy and his passion for learning never waned. Per his wishes, Elliot's ashes will be scattered in his favorite trout stream in Eagle River, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Road Y, Saukville, WI 53080. FEERICK FUNERAL HOME Shorewood (414)962-8383 Condolences may be sent to: www.feerickfuneralhome.com