Dr. Raymond C. Kinzel

East Lansing

Ray Kinzel, age 86, passed away peacefully at home on October 10, 2014.Ray was born on July 2, 1928 in Port Chester, New York, the son of Louis C. and Cora R. Kinzel, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Dee Kinzel in 2000 and brothers, Karl See and Donald See. He grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut where he graduated from Greenwich High School in 1946. A B.A. degree was awarded to him from Wittenberg University in 1950 in Springfield, Ohio. He then continued on to New York Medical College where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine in 1955. He married his beautiful and loving wife, Dee in 1952 before beginning his sophomore year in medical school. From 1955 to 1957 the family was in Buffalo, NY where Ray trained in general surgery. Ray and Dee and their two children, Laura and Jeffrey then moved to Rochester, Minnesota where Ray spent the next three years in a Urology Residency at the Mayo Clinic. In 1960 Ray and his family came to East Lansing where he has lived since then. He practiced Urology in Lansing until he retired in 1996.

Ray was the beloved father of Laura Kinzel (partner Scott Pappert) of Pittsburgh, PA and Jeffrey Kinzel (Martha) of Wilmette, IL and four marvelous grandsons, John T. Kinzel Scherch, Andrew David Kinzel Scherch, John C. Kinzel and James A. Kinzel. Also surviving are his brother, John L. Kinzel of Audubon, PA and several nieces and nephews.

Ray’s community activities were divided among All Saints Episcopal church where he began attending with his family in 1960, the Rotary Club of Lansing and music. He joined The Rotary Club of Lansing in 1971 and was privileged and honored to be a member of this service club.

He was on the medical staff of Ingham Medical Regional Hospital where he was President of the Medical Staff from 1976-1978. He was active in the Ingham County Medical Society and President of this organization in 1980. He also was on the staffs in the Department of Surgery at Sparrow Hospital and St. Lawrence Hospital.

Ray was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church from 1960 until his death and served two terms on the Vestry. During one of these terms he was Senior Warden. In his later years he sang in the choir. Both he and Dee were very appreciative of the support of this communion of saints. He was also a seasonal parishioner of The Church of the Nativity in Sarasota, FL where he made many friends and enjoyed their community and support.

Throughout his life Ray enjoyed all of the arts, especially music. He was a “lifetime” trumpet player having begun at age 9. He had the joy for the last 40+ years of playing with a group called The Basement Five Plus. Good times were had over the years by members of this group and their spouses. He was also supportive of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Center for the Arts, and Wharton Center. He played in the Lansing Concert Band for several years and was also a member of the MSU Touring Concert Band and enjoyed participating in overseas trips with concerts in various places during those trips.

The family is grateful for the loving care of so many who supported Ray in his last months: dear friends, particularly Irv Nichols and Jim Waun; health care providers, especially Dr. Mark Ensberg; Melissa and other staff at Hospice of Lansing; Julie Holbrook; the staff of Caring & Compassionate Healthcare Agency; and members and clergy of All Saints Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ray may be made to: All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, E. Lansing, MI 48823, Wittenberg University, 200 W. Ward St., Springfield, OH 45501-0720 or Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation, P.O Box 13156, Lansing, MI 48901-3156. A memorial service will be held at All Saints on Saturday, November 15th at 5:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.