Dr. Robert C. EISSMAN

EISSMAN, Dr. Robert C., 77, passed away, in the arms of his loving family,

May 18, 2010, in Tampa General Hospital, after a long and courage-ous battle with multiple cancers. Dr. Eissman was born and raised in Muncie Ind., by Eugene and Louise Eissman, long time Muncie residents. He graduated from Burris High school in 1950, obtained his Bachelors of Science from Ball State University in 1953, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1957. Following his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital in Pennsylvania, Dr. Eissman entered the U.S. Air force in 1958, where he enrolled in the Flight Surgeon School, at the Aerospace Medicine facility, in San Antonio Texas and obtained his Flight Surgeon' s wings upon graduation. Captain Eissman served out his enlistment as the flight surgeon at Bartow Air Base, a primary pilot training base, near Winter Haven Fla. He moved to Lakeland Fla., in 1960, and practiced Family Medicine there until he retired. He liked to think of himself as an "Old Country Doctor" as early in his career he pretty much did it all, care from the cradle to the grave including obstetrics, gynecology, industrial medicine, pediatrics and office surgery. He assisted on major surgeries, set fractures and made house calls regularly. He and his partner in practice, Layton Bergquist M.D., were the first two board certified family physicians in Lakeland. While on the staff at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, he served several terms as chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and later was elected as president of the medical staff. Dr. Eissman was a charter diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice and was recertified six times. He was a founding partner of the General Practice Clinic and was one of the founders of Lakeside Medical Center. Dr. Eissman later owned and managed The Walk In Clinic at Lakeside, as well as his own private practice. In addition, he served for many years as the college physician at the Student Health Center at Florida Southern College and was the plant physician at Owens-Brockway glass plant, in Lakeland, for 34 years. He joined the Clark and Daughtrey Medical Group in 1995, where he practiced until he retired in 1998. Dr. Eissman was active in civic affairs and was a member and past president of Citrus Center Kiwanis Club. He loved water sports and was an avid skier, fisherman, sailor, gardener, woodworker and furniture maker. Bob was a devoted Florida Gator fan and loved attending games with his family. He and his wife, Jeanne with their combined family, spent a great deal of time at a lake cottage they built in Hiawassee, Ga., after he retired. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Louise Eissman of Lakeland and is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Berkey) Eissman, formerly of Goshen Ind.; sister, Nancy Myers of Syracuse Ind.; sons, Christopher Eissman of Atlanta, Ga., and Todd Eissman of Buford, Ga.; daughter, Kathryn Cowart of Tampa; as well as by stepsons, Tom Brokaw and Todd Brokaw of Colorado Springs Colo. and David Brokaw of Miami Fla.; stepdaughter, Lisa Staley of Lakeland; and and nine grandchildren. A celebration of Bob' s life, with family and friends, will take place 5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2010, at Heath Funeral Tribute Center, with tributes from the family read at 6 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

To donate to the American Cancer Society by phone, call 1 (800) ACS-2345. To donate by mail, simply download the form from the link below, print it, and mail the completed donor form with your check to this address:

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 22718

Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. heathfuneralchapel.com.