Per Freitag, Ph.D., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Per Freitag Ph.D., M.D., F.A.C.S., 73 of Springfield, IL, was pronounced dead on Saturday Feb. 6, 2016. He was born April 27, 1942, in Drammen, Norway, the son of Elling and Magna Alfredson Freitag. Dr. Freitag came to the United States in 1963 to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966, his Master of Science Degree in 1968 and his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago in 1970. He married Carol Lueth in 1966. They lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota while he attended and taught Anatomy at the University of Minnesota Medical School from 1970-1973, receiving his Doctor of Medicine Degree. Dr. Freitag's post-graduate education took place at Northwestern University McGraw Medical Center in Chicago where he completed a combination internship and trained in Orthopaedic Surgery from 1973-1978. He was Board Certified in 1979. Dr. Freitag married Lynn Ferrone in 1984 living in Chicago and its suburbs until 2001. From 1979- 2001, Dr. Freitag practiced Orthopaedics at Head Orthopaedic Surgery later named Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists, LTD in Des Plaines and Barrington, IL. He was on staff at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village, and Good Shephard in Barrington, Illinois. In 2001, Dr. Freitag accepted the position of Associate Professor, Division of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and practiced Orthopaedics at SIU Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. He was on staff at Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield, and at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Dr. Freitag was the Volunteer Medical Director of the "Think First Injury Prevention Program" at the SIU School of Medicine. His teaching responsibilities included instruction of 2nd year medical students in the Problem Based Learning segments, and 2nd and 3rd year medical students in the University Clinic and the operating room. He also instructed 2nd and 3rd year Orthopaedic Residents with emphasis on Spine Surgery. As the fellowship director of the E. Shannon Stauffer Spine Fellowship, he was responsible for the instruction and training of SIU Spine Fellows according to ACGME guidelines. Per was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Carol Freitag, in 2002; and brother, Andreas Freitag, in 2014. He is survived by his second wife, Lynn Freitag of Springfield, IL; two daughters, Elizabeth Freitag of Erie, PA and Britt Freitag (husband, Matthew Thomas) of Blairstown, NJ; one son, Matthew Freitag (wife, Wendy); twin grandsons, Michael and Wilson Freitag; two nieces, Petra Freitag and Carolina Fredag; and one grandnephew, Carolina's son. In addition to his immediate family, Per is survived by many family members of his first wife, Carol, who honor his memory. Lynn's family members also honor Per and the memories shared during their 31 year marriage. Per is remembered as being funny when he wasn't trying to be. He was a rather quiet man with his family; most of his talking/listening/teaching was done at work with his patients, students, colleagues, partners and beloved staff to whom he was deeply grateful for their ongoing support and assistance. Dr. Freitag was always his best self at work. His daughter, Liz, commented that his life's purpose was to be a surgeon and educator. He fulfilled his purpose. He died at his desk after a day's work on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. He used to say, "I'm going to work until I drop." God granted his wish. As much as he was a surgeon, healer, mentor, teacher, compassionate listener, a quirky, brilliant mind with an Operating Room sense of humor, he was also very much a human being with inner burdens and unhealed wounds. His family continues to love him as the gentle, kind, fully human man he was and still is; so loving in soul and spirit. May he know how much he was deeply loved by his immediate and extended families, his adoring medical community, and friends. Memorial Celebration: Family will receive friends from 10:00-11:50 a.m. and a Memorial Celebration will be held from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry Drive, Springfield, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Memorial Medical Center Foundation for the Surgical Skills Lab at MCLI and mailed to: Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 701 N. First St., Mail Code 61, Springfield, IL 62781.