Dr. Michael S. Sommer

SOMMER

Dr. MICHAEL S. SOMMER (Age 87)

Passed away on April 23, 2022 in Dunedin, FL. He is the son of Lazlo and Monta Sommer (both deceased) and brother of the Hon. Peter Sommer, former Ambassador to Malta (deceased).

Sommer was a devoted father to his children: Sandor Sommer of New Orleans, LA, John Sommer (Jensin) of Annapolis, MD, and Laura Skrzynski (Robert) of London and was lovingly known as 'Pop' to his grandchildren: Lael Sommer of San Diego, CA; Peyton Sommer of Pensacola, FL; and Alexander Sommer of New Orleans, LA.

Born in 1934 in Washington, DC, he attended Woodrow Wilson High School where he led the Tigers to the Interhigh and City football championships in 1952. He was also the DC Interhigh sprint champion that same year.

He served in the U.S. Navy prior to matriculating at George Washington University in 1954. While at GW he played football and was named All-Southern Conference in 1955 and 1957 and helped the Colonials defeat UTEP in the 1957 Sun Bowl. He is a member of the GW Athletics Hall of Fame.

Upon graduation, Sommer was drafted by the hometown Washington Redskins as the 16th overall pick in the 1958 NFL draft. His NFL career included three years with the Redskins and three years with the Baltimore Colts where he was a member of the 1959 World Championship team. He also played a season in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders.

Following football, Sommer earned a medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. He then moved from Washington with his children and former wife, Corinne Sommer, to practice urology in Hagerstown, MD and later ran the emergency room at then City Hospital in Martinsburg, WV. His appointment as Director of Emergency Medicine at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, DE prompted his final move to Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Concurrent with his medical career, Sommer competed in marathons and triathlons and completed multiple Ironman competitions.

In 2001, Dr. Sommer retired as Medical Director of Emergency Medicine with Beebe Medical Center.

In retirement, Sommer split time between Dunedin, FL and Rehoboth Beach, DE where he rode his bike daily. His love of cycling included a ride across America in 2008 with his wife, Barbara. Other travels with friends include cycling trips over much of Europe to include coastal Tuscany and Sicily in Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the English Cotswolds, and Malta.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara Sommer, of Dunedin, Florida and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

A celebration of his life will take place in August 2022, Rehoboth Beach, DE.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org