Philip F. Lange M.D.

Philip F. Lange, MD Beaver Island Philip F. Lange, MD, formerly of Lansing, age 84, died June 13, 2009, surrounded by his family at the Hiland Cottage Hospice in Petoskey. Philip was born January 12, 1925, in Detroit, the son of Herbert and Edna (Wiedenmiller) Lange. He was raised in Saginaw and Detroit, and completed his pre-medical training at Albion College, where he was President of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity from 1943-1944. Philip was married in August of 1947, to Ethel Belle (Dean), and received his M.D. degree from Wayne University College of Medicine, Detroit - 1948, where he was President of Phi Rho Sigma Fraternity. Philip Interned at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, 1948-1949, and had his General Residency there, 1949-1950. A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Philip started his Lansing practice in July of 1950, until drafted into the Army in January 1951. He served with the rank of Captain in the US Army Medical Corps, 23rd Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, for 13 months in Korea, through November 1952. His distinguished service as Battalion Surgeon for the 3rd Battalion during his first 6 months, and later as Regimental Surgeon spanned the Heartbreak Ridge, Baldy and Pork Chop battles. For his service, Philip received the Combat Medic Badge, Bronze Star, Bronze Star with V for Valor, and from a nearby French Battalion, the Croix DeGuerre. From January 1953 through June 1987, Philip dedicated himself to the patients of his private practice and to the broader medical community. Service to patients, profession and community was a hallmark of his commitment and caring life. Philip was: Chief of Staff, E W Sparrow and Ingham Medical Hospitals, as well as having many committee memberships and chairmanships in both hospitals; President, Capital Chapter, Michigan Academy of Family Physicians; MAFP Treasurer and served 8 years on the Board, and as chairman or member of many committees of the MAFP and Michigan State Medical Society; President, Ingham County Medical Society; Chairman, Michigan State Medicaid Peer Review Committee; Associate Clinical Professor at MSU College of Human Medicine and taught medical students from MSU, U of M and Wayne State University for over 18 years; a staff member at Ingham Medical, Lansing General, E W Sparrow and St. Lawrence Hospitals; and a faculty member for 2 years with the Sparrow Family Practice Residency. Philip "retired" to Beaver Island June 30, 1987, where his community involvement continued. In addition to being relief caregiver for 2 years, he provided full-time medical coverage when the Island's usual provider was called to serve in the Gulf War. He was: President, Beaver Island Historical Society and the Beaver Island Medical Center Board; Treasurer, Beaver Island Christian Church; and Vice President, Preservation Association of Beaver Island. Philip enjoyed his family, gardening, cooking, food preservation, Beaver Island, painting, hunting, fishing, wine making and skiing. He is survived by Ethel Belle, his loving wife of 61 years; his sister, Lois (Phil) Gannon; sons, Eric (Barbara) and Mark (Betty Jo); daughter, Lisa (VanCamp); six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Robert, Erica, JoAnn, Mackenzie and Alexander; and 2 great-grandchildren, Hayden and Gavin. Memorial Services will be held September 12th, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lansing. The family will receive friends in the Church Fellowship Hall following the service. A brief service will also be held on September 26th, 4:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Cemetery on Beaver Island, followed by a celebration of Phil's life, at the Island's Community House in St. James. He asked that donations be made to help the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, so those desiring to do so should make Memorial donations to: Charlevoix County Community Foundation (or abbreviate "CCCF"). Please be sure to note that your donation is for the BIRHC Endowment-P.F. Lange Memorial. Mail to: Charlevoix County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 718, East Jordan, MI 49727