Dr. Edward Doermann

1919 - 2012

(News Article) Dr. Edward Doermann, a retired surgeon and longtime member at the Toledo Clinic, died Wednesday in Parkcliffe Community after a brief illness. He was 92.

His daughter, Marilyn Kellum, said he lived in Parkcliffe Community for about a year.

Dr. Doermann retired in 1994 from his general surgery practice at Toledo Clinic.

Dr. Charles Cobau said he was considered one of the leading surgeons in the area.

"He was very much admired by colleagues. Everyone viewed him as an excellent surgeon, and one they could trust with their patients," said Dr. Cobau, a retired oncologist at Flower Hospital and longtime friend. "He was always pleasant and respectful to the patients and their families."

Dr. Doermann's career in the Toledo area spanned more than four decades. He practiced at what is now called Mercy St. Charles Hospital and Flower Hospital.

He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in 1941 and graduated from the University of Cincinnati medical school in 1943.

Mrs. Kellum said he began a residency program at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, but World War II interrupted his studies. He served during the war in the Army Medical Corps. After the war, Dr. Doermann returned to Wisconsin to complete his surgical residency.

Dr. Cobau said his friend came to Toledo in the late 1940s to study under surgeon Dr. William Neill, a founder of the Toledo Clinic.

Dr. Doermann's offices were in the clinic when it was on Collingwood Boulevard and at its current location on Secor Road.

"He was constantly making an effort to stay updated in his profession. He employed the state-of-the art surgical care to all of the patients he had contact with. He was a forceful participant in medical conferences, sharing his advice and expertise with others who attended," Dr. Cobau said.

Born on Sept. 10, 1919, in Cincinnati, he moved with his family to Toledo when he was a youngster. He graduated in 1937 from Scott High School.

He married the former Norma Portman on Oct. 31, 1942. Mrs. Kellum said they met at the University of Toledo, where her mother studied nursing. She died Jan 24, 1997.

He was a former president of the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County, Toledo Clinic Foundation, and Toledo Clinic Inc., and a former chief of staff and chief of surgery at Flower Hospital. He was a former chairman of the Intern Resident Committee and Tissue Committee at Flower Hospital.

Dr. Doermann's articles on surgery were published in medical journals, including the Ohio State University Medical Journal and Journal of the International College of Surgeons.

He was an avid tennis player and assisted in the founding the former Toledo Racquet Club on West Central Avenue at Reynolds Road, which was the first indoor tennis facility in the area.

Mrs. Kellum said her father played the game as a youngster and renewed his interest later as an adult. She said he played tennis until he reached 91 years old.

Surviving are his daughter, Marilyn Kellum; sons, Perry and Neil, and eight grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Monroe Street United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe St. Reeb Funeral Home in Sylvania is handling arrangements.

The family requests tributes to the Edward L. Doermann and Norma R. Doermann Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2000 to benefit premed and nursing students at the University of Toledo.