Dr. Norman G. Soler

Dr. Norman G. Soler, 71, of Springfield Illinois passed away peacefully at Memorial Medical Center on January 27, 2014. Dr. Soler was born on the island of Malta in 1942, to loving parents Frank and May Griscti Soler. He was the eldest of five children Claudia, Albert, Anthony, and Patrick. Dr. Soler qualified as a doctor in 1964 in Malta at the age of 22 and was a house resident at St. Luke's teaching hospital, Royal University of Malta until 1967. He was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and moved to England as a research fellow and senior registrar in medicine, specializing in Diabetes, at the General Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. In particular, he focused on diabetic pregnancy. In Birmingham, Dr. Soler met his beloved wife, Dr. Susan Soler, and they were married there in 1972 in the side chapel of St. Chad's Cathedral. In 1977, together with their two young sons, Richard and John, they accepted an opportunity to move to United States and Springfield Illinois, where Dr. Soler became a Professor of Medicine, Director of Medicine Clerkship, and Chief of Endocrinology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield Illinois. Shortly thereafter, their daughter, Kate, was born. In 1989, Dr. Soler established the Springfield Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (SDEC) where he was Medical Director and Director of Research until his retirement last year. Over the 24 years until his retirement, he led the SDEC to become a leading national center for diabetes treatment and research and nutritional counseling and research. The SDEC continues today as an affiliate of HSHS Medical Group. Dr. Soler became a member of the Royal College of Physicians (London, 1969); earned his Ph.D. with a thesis on Diabetes in Pregnancy (Birmingham 1970); and was fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians as a specialist in Endocrinology and Diabetes in 1977. Other professional memberships included the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, American Diabetes Association, Obesity Research Network, American Medical Association, and the Illinois State Medical Society. Dr. Soler's dedication to research was extensive with over 100 contributions in the form of original papers, editorials, letters to medical journals, abstracts, and presentations. As a physician in Malta, England, and the U.S., he was devoted to mentoring and teaching others, including many local doctors, advancing research into diabetes, and above all caring for his patients whom he considered his friends. As a husband and father he lovingly guided and provided for his family. Dr. Soler had a lifelong interest in travel, history, soccer, and boating. He was a devout Catholic, a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and generously supported many charities. Dr. Soler was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and May Griscti Soler. Dr. Soler is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Susan Soler of Springfield; three loving children, Richard (Rini) Soler, John Soler, and Kate (Dave) Darneille, and his grandson, Pano; his brothers, Albert (Kathleen) Griscti Soler, Anthony (Carmelina) Griscti Soler, Patrick (Odette) Griscti Soler; his sister Claudia (Godfrey) Sant; and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his loving family, his SDEC family, his medical colleagues, and his many patients. Dear Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 10:00 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield. Memorial Mass: 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament with Rev. Jeff Grant, celebrant. Additional private family ceremonies and entombment will be held in Malta where he will be buried in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolarata Cemetery. Memorial Contributions: As a physician devoted to his patients and to the treatment of diabetes, the family asks that memorial donations are made to: The Memorial Fund for Dr. Norman G. Soler; The American Diabetes Association- Springfield, 2501 Chatham Road, Suite 210, Springfield, IL 62704. The memorial fund donations will be directed towards supporting diabetes research and local projects.