Edward O'Brien Comer

COMER Edward O'Brien Comer, M.D., F.A.C.P., L.L., a Specialist of Internal Medicine, died Thursday, January 25, 2007. He was 84 years of age. The only one of nine siblings born in a hospital (St. Joseph Maternity) of New Orleans. Dr. Comer spent most of his life in this city. He was a graduate of Tulane University's College, serving as an assistant in Zoology and receiving an academic scholarship. He was a graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine; interned at Southern Baptist Hospital; and following military service as a Captain stationed with the 82nd airborne, completed his internal medicine residency at Tulane and the Veterans Hospital. He then remained in academics at Tulane, LSU, and Veterans for four years. Dr. Comer was certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, became a Fellow in the American College of Physicians, and also received a Fellow and Lifetime Diplomate Status in the Pan-American Medical Association. While in private practice, he held medical appointments in several hospitals. Dr. Comer served as President of the Medical Staffs of Southern Baptist Hospital and Louisiana Rehabilitation Hospital. He was a Senior Visiting Physician at Charity Hospital and held the position of Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine of Tulane until active retirement in 1986. Dr. Comer was a devoted member of the Orleans Parish and Louisiana State Medical Societies, American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Musser-Burch Society, New York Academy of Sciences, as well as multiple specialty organizations. Dr. Comer was President of the New Orleans Academy of Internal Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Regional Medical Program. He was a member of a Medical Consultants Group for the City of New Orleans, a Trustee of the New Orleans Blood Center, and for a number of years, Consultant for Medicare and Blue Cross. He participated in and directed educational activities in various capacities in several institutions and organizations, including the Faculty of Baptist Hospital's Mather School of Nursing, Tulane's Community Medicine Department and Chief of Medicine Section and Residency Program of Baptist Hospital. He was involved in numerous committee activities and officerships of the various Medical Societies. As a decades member and delegate of the Louisiana and American Societies of Internal Medicine, and as Executive Director of the Louisiana Societies of Internal Medicine, and as Executive Director of the Louisiana component Dr. Comer pursued his efforts as patients' advocate in the medicine-politics affecting their care, continuing such efforts throughou this retirement. While in academic standing, Dr. Comer's major research interest was as an early investigator in the field of electrophoresis related to analysis of immunity pattern problems, particularly amebiasis. He was involved in immunity patterns of ethnic groups and of mental disease. He was author of a number of publication topics, including those of immunity and gastroenterology. Dr. Comer was a contributor in a teaching medical manual for nurses at Baptist Hospital and the author of two published booklets for patients, ""Who Cares? We Care and Medicares'' and ""Gaudy Guide to a Medical Mess.'' During membership in the Rotary Club of New Orleans, he served as its secretary and a member of its foundation. He was bestowed with a Paul Harris Fellow of the New Orleans Chapter of Rotary International. Dr. Comer was tendered the title of Laureate, Louisiana Chapter, of the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine for demonstration, ""by example and conduct, of an abiding commitment to excellence in medical care, education or research, and in service to their community and the College - Society of Internal Medicine.'' In addition to professional activities, he was active in community affairs, some of which were Friends of the Cabildo, New Orleans Landmarks Society, Jazz Club, International House, New Orleans Museum Of Art, Rotary Club, STAIR Program, Metropolitan Crime Commission, Cops Two Second District, American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, carnival organizations, as well as others. He was Founder and President of the Left Handers Society Inc. He enjoyed his role as a volunteer licensed tour guide in the walking tours organization of the Cabildo and Tour Guide Association. Throughout his career he gratefully acknowledged and profoundly appreciated the efforts of so many people who provided encouragement and financial aid for his education, including his magnificent brilliant oldest brother David, steadfastly loving brothers, Mrs. Zoe M. Denmark, Dr. W. F. Wiggins, Mrs. G. G. Kuntz and family, and Dr. George Wheeeler. In a return effort, Dr. and Mrs. Comer conducted a long term private financial program to return this generosity to the community. Dr. Comer's surviving family includes his incomparable wife, Barbara Louise McNiff Comer, his precious sister, Mrs. M. D. (Florence) Livingston; magnificent, loving children and their much beloved spouses: Barbara Shannon and David Dauphin; Janet Louise and Matthew Even; Edward McNiff and Brenda Comer; Eileen O'Brien and Eugene Gambel; Gayle Stewart and Gary McNamara, all of whom cared for him so devotedly. Dr. Comer was the father of the late Nanci Ann Comer. He marveled about his thirteen spectacular, unique happiness giving grandchildren; a precious great grandchild, and numerous so splendid family bound nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Everyone in his family provided joy in and for his life. He requested that descriptions about his family remain in this obituary to give any person reading it ""a taste of how fortunate a man can be to live and love in a family like mine. In gratitude, Grandfather.'' Funeral Services will be private and burial will occur in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1031 S.Carrollton Ave. on March 31, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. He requests and his family requests that any person desiring to should direct a donation to her or his favorite charity or field of interest to benefit humanity. L. A. Muhleisen and Son will supervise arrangements. To sign and view the Family Guestbook please visit www.nola.com/obits or www.legacy.com.