Dr. James Diethelm

1924 - 2018

(News story) Dr. James Diethelm, a retired family practice physician who continued a legacy begun a continent away in another century, died April 17 at Sunset Village in Sylvania Township. He was 93.

Dr. Diethelm, formerly of Ottawa Hills, developed respiratory problems and was getting weak, his daughter Debbie Monagan said.

"He had his cognitive ability until the last month. He was an amazing, super-intelligent guy," his daughter said.

A great-grandfather was a physician in Switzerland, and his grandfather Martin Diethelm operated Diethelm Bros. Pharmacy at Erie and Madison streets downtown for years.

Two grandchildren, Jessica Diethelm and Mathew Goodwin, are physicians as well.

He retired about 2001 from the family practice his father, Dr. Rudolph Diethelm, established, and which his son, Dr. J.D. Diethelm, joined. Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center, as it is now known, honored the trio for their combined service to the hospital of more than a century. The elder Dr. Diethelm, 85, died in 1982.

"My dad really appreciated the Grey Nuns," his daughter said, referring to the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, who founded St. Vincent in 1855. "He was called to Montreal a couple times as an honor for serving that community."

He was born July 18, 1924, to Marie and Dr. Rudolph Diethelm and grew up on Willys Parkway in West Toledo. During the Depression, some of his father's patients stopped by the family home to offer payment in chickens and bread.

"There was an innate willingness to care for other people," his daughter said.

He was a graduate of Campion Jesuit High School, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., where he was an athlete, a sports writer for the student paper, and class valedictorian.

At the University of Notre Dame, he was in ROTC. He was in the Navy's V-12 college training program and then the Army Reserve. He was stationed at Fort Polk, La., during the Korean War as a member of the medical corps.

He went to the St. Louis University medical school, as his father had, and graduated in 1947. His father had been stoic. He was steady and focused - and a character, his daughter said.

"He was a heck of a lot of fun, let me tell you," his daughter said. "He wasn't this serious doctor. He enjoyed people for who they were."

Tom Kabat, who was a patient, said: "He was the gentleman doctor. He was a great listener and had a great bedside manner."

Mr. Kabat and his wife, Nancy, became friends with Dr. Diethelm and his wife, Helen.

"They were as a couple great role models for everyone," Mr. Kabat said.

A golfer from childhood at Inverness Club, Dr. Diethelm often recalled being summoned off the course to deliver a baby at St. Vincent - his vehicle escorted to the hospital by police - and once there delivered a second baby. He made a house call afterward and still returned to the course in time to play the back nine with his foursome.

"He loved to tell that story and swore it was true," his daughter said.

A longtime member of Gesu Parish, he most recently attended Corpus Christi University Parish.

His wife, the former Helen Mominee, died Dec. 28, 2011.

Surviving are his daughters, Debra Monagan and Diane Goodwin; son, Dr. James D. "J.D." Diethelm; nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Gesu Church, where the body will be after 9 a.m. Arrangements are by Walker Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to St. Francis de Sales High School or a charity of the donor's choice.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.