Michael P. Mehr

1933 - 2016

Mehr, Michael P.

Michael P. Mehr, age 82 of 6820 Lisa Lane, Wisconsin Rapids, WI died Wednesday, June 29 2016 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, July 2, 2016 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (830 13th Street South) in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Jerome Patric will officiate. Military Rites will be provided by American Legion Post #9 of Wisconsin Rapids. The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Saturday from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. A reception will be held following services at Bull's Eye Country Club (2800 Ridgewood Trail) Wisconsin Rapids. Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI is assisting the family.

Mike was the youngest of four children of John F. and Josephine Mehr.

Attended grade school at Saint Robert's Grade School in Shorewood, WI and high school at Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland. Michael attended College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts where he graduated cum laude as a Pre-Medical student. He attended medical school at Georgetown Medical School in Washington, D.C., again, graduating with cum laude honors.

He received further medical training in Internal Medicine at Brooke Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Milwaukee County General Hospital, Wisconsin. After completing his resident training in 1965 he practiced medicine in Waukesha, WI from 1965-1972. In 1972 Michael moved to Marshfield, WI and worked in the Department of Internal Medicine at Marshfield Clinic from 1972-1993. He retired from Marshfield Clinic and moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI in 1994 and practiced part time with the Riverwood Clinic (presently Aspirus Riverview Primary Care Physicians) until he retired from medicine in 1999.

He married Patricia A. Marciniak of Plover, WI on November 4, 1989.

Michael had six children with his first wife, Elizabeth Malone of Dothan, Alabama. Five (5) sons and a daughter. He also had a step daughter and step son whom he dearly loved as his own.

Mike was active in many organizations throughout his life and long career in medicine. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians since 1974, member of the American Society of Internal Medicine since 1967 and where he served as Wisconsin President in 1978. From 1977-1980 he was a Trustee of the American Society of Internal Medicine. Michael was appointed to the Medical Examining Board for State of Wisconsin as a member from 1986-1994 and served as secretary of the organization for four years. He was a ten (10) year delegate from Wood County for the Wisconsin State Medical Society where he served on many committees and commissions for the Society. He maintained memberships in the American Medical Association, New York Academy of Science and The Nature Conservancy. Michael helped found and was a board member of the New Visions Art Gallery of Marshfield. Because of Michael's love of golf, he was a member of Bull's Eye Country Club where he formed and maintained many friendships with people both present and departed.

Michael was a member of the Elk's Club, Wisconsin Public Radio and Television and was active in the Republican Party and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. In 1997 Michael Mehr was an organizer and charter investor in River Cities Bank of Wisconsin Rapids and served on the Board of Directors until his retirement in 2006. He also had a long association with The Wisconsin Rapids Rotary Club, Wood County Junior Achievement and was an active community volunteer instructor of youth. He also contributed as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of Wisconsin Rapids and frequently was a lector at various Roman Catholic churches.

Michael served in the United States Army Medical Corp from 1958-1963 where he retired with the rank of Captain.

Michael had many interests and a thirst for knowledge. He loved and enjoyed his family and was a single parent for many years after his divorce. He loved to read history and current events and never tired of the bad jokes from the internet. Did you hear about the one..... Michael liked cooking, hunting, GOLF, boating, reading history and puttering on his computer. He was instrumental in getting his children involved in Alpine skiing and served as a doctor on call at Alpine Valley Ski Area in East Troy, WI.

Michael P. Mehr will be remembered as a skilled practitioner of the art of medicine. He always had his patients in mind and provided them the best care he possibly could. He leaves a long and continuing legacy to his patients in Wisconsin and around the country. He was very proud of his career and it will be a beacon of strength to his family when we all remember what a fine human being he truly was. Rest easy father, we will love and miss you always.

Michael is survived by his wife of 27 years Patricia Mehr. Michael Patrick Mehr, Jr, Charlotte, Maine; George M. Mehr (Peg O'Brien), Wayzata, MN; Anne L. Mehr, Bahzra, Connecticut; Joseph Tracy Mehr (Fay Shong), Glen Ellyn, IL; Charles L. Mehr, Plymouth, MN and David W. Mehr (Jen), Cranford, NJ: Anney E. Olds, Wisconsin Rapids, R. Caleb Turzinski (Ashley), Reedsburg, WI.

Michael loved and took great pride in his fifteen (15) grandchildren: Elizabeth, Annette, Lia, Maggie, Ellen, Katie, David, Malcolm, Pooja, Charlotte, Mary Kate, William, Brian, Brett and Caleb Kip.

He is survived by his brother, J. Tracy Mehr (Carol), Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael is predeceased by his sisters, Mary Patricia White, and Jo Ann (Toppy) C. Wilson; Brother in law Francis (Fran) White; parents John F. and Josephine T. Mehr and daughter-in-law Rachel Mehr.

In lieu of flowers Michael P. Mehr prefers donations to: Riverview Health Care Foundation of Wisconsin, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation of Wisconsin or Assumption High School, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.