Michael W. Kaufman MD

Michael W. Kaufman, MD, age 78, of River Forest, Illinois, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 29, 2025.

Born in Jamaica, New York, Michael was the son of the late Pearl and late James Kaufman. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jill Zucker, his brothers David (Rita) and John (Glenda) Kaufman, and his four children: Jamie (Jana), Adam (Emily), Lea (Jason), and Elizabeth (Christopher). He was the devoted "Papa Mike" and grandfather of Genevieve, Alexander, Talia, Elke, Nora, Benjamin, Ariana, and Evan.

Michael graduated from Kew-Forest High School (1963) and Wesleyan University (1967) before earning his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (1972). He completed his post-graduate fellowship at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston (1978). He dedicated his career to surgical pathology at Evanston Hospital, where he worked for almost 40 years. With his endless energy, he also served as the medical director of the Chicago Area Autopsy Services, clinical assistant professor at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Medical Schools, and the past Chairman of the Wilmette Blood Drive. He was particularly passionate about providing medical expertise on legal cases throughout the nation. He also proudly shared the screen with Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones in the movie, "The Fugitive."

Michael had a full life and was happiest spending time with family. He was a dedicated husband and proud father and grandfather, and he took immense joy in big family vacations and gatherings. He created numerous hilarious nicknames for his children that he always had fun with and that he loved using. He provided quiet comfort and guidance, modeled humility, and demonstrated day in and out his unconditional love and generosity. His kindness and selflessness touched everyone who knew him.

In his free time, Michael was an avid traveler and loved being dragged around the world by his adoring wife. He was a baseball fanatic with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a history buff, and a voracious reader, even regularly providing one of his favorite authors, Scott Turow, with medical advice for his bestselling books.

A memorial service will be held at Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.

Michael will be remembered for his love of family, sharp mind, boundless curiosity, kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. He will be deeply missed.