Edward Doezema

Doctor Edward Riner Doezema, 93, of Ann Arbor died in his home at noon on May 19, 2012. He was born at home on July 21, 1918, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the sixth of Riner and Rika Doezema’s eight children. Ed grew up in a Dutch immigrant community in which the historic Reformed Christian faith was believed and taught. He attended Baxter Christian School, Grand Rapids Christian High School, and Calvin College, class of 1940. Ed showed interest in music from his early years, composing a hymn with four part harmony which was sung at his ninth grade graduation while he accompanied on the piano. From the age of 12 through college, except when in school, he worked at the Doezema Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his father, uncles, brothers and cousins.

Ed experienced the call to a medical career during his sophomore year of college when he visited the hospital twice in one week: first when his sister gave birth to the family’s first grandchild and the next day when his uncle was in surgery after an automobile accident. He was the first in his extended family to receive a medical degree. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1943 and was awarded an internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Hospital. Dr. Doezema became a medical officer in the US Navy in the spring of 1945. He was assigned to the USS Hubbard which was prepared to carry Marines to the invasion of Japan. The bomb was dropped and the ship never sailed to Japan. He was reassigned to the Sampson Naval Hospital south of Rochester, New York where he met his future wife, also a naval officer. They were discharged in 1946 and married the following year. He began a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Rochester in 1947 becoming chief resident in 1948. He then took a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology at the University of Chicago. Dr. Doezema’s practice of Pediatrics in Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1950 to 1965 was interrupted only by his military service during the Korean War from 1952 to 1953, when he served aboard the USS Marine Phoenix going from San Francisco and Seattle to Japan and South Korea.

After a trip to Uganda, Ed decided to study international child health. He moved with his family to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he earned a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Michigan in 1965 and became an Assistant Professor of Maternal and Child Health from 1966 to 1972. Later Dr. Doezema took a four year residency in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, which qualified him for the practice of Psychiatry. He practiced General Psychiatry from 1978 through 1999.

Ed’s participation in the community of faith at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor began when he joined with his wife in 1965 and continued until his death. Ed was an elder and served on music director search committees. He cherished time with friends at Bible studies, men’s sharing groups, and Sunday brunches. The University of Michigan Choral Union musical events such as the May Festival and the Messiah performances were joyous occasions. He treasured memories of his extended family and friends gathering at his cottage on Lake Michigan in Grand Haven.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Riner and Rika Doezema, his brothers Charles (Geraldine) Doezema, Lambert (Joanne) Doezema, William Doezema and by his sisters Angeline (Dick) Vander Wal and Harriet Knott. He is survived by his wife the former, Elizabeth Dean, of Ann Arbor whom he married June 3, 1947. Also surviving are sisters: Annette (Herman) Hoeksema of Chicago, Illinois, and Katherine Doezema of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law, Jeannette Doezema; brother-in-law, the Reverend Edward Knott both of Grand Rapids; children: Margaret (Carl) Leonard of Dexter, Michigan, Robert (Barbara) Doezema of Waltham, Massachusetts, Joan (James) Clarahan of Commerce, Michigan; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren: Benjamin, Nathaniel, Thomas and Anna Leonard.

A funeral service was held in his home at 2 p.m., May 21, 2012 with the Reverend Evans McGowan officiating. In memory of Edward Doezema contributions may be made to the Sacred Music Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, 1432 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. www.muehligannarbor.com