Dr. Franklin J Star

Dr. Franklin Julian Star, 87, longtime resident of Columbus, GA, passed away at home on Monday, June 28, 2021. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 1 at 10:00am at Temple Israel, 1617 Wildwood Ave.

Dr. Star was born in Eagle Pass, TX in 1933, the son of Max Kalman and Anne (Riskind) Star. When he was young, his family moved to the south side of Chicago where he attended public schools and then the University of Chicago for both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Star completed his medical training in Seattle, WA (internship) and Memphis, TN (residency). He then served as a surgeon and captain in the US Army for two years and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. In 1965, he returned to Columbus and started his medical practice, Surgical Associates of Columbus.

Over the next 37 years until he retired in 2002, Dr. Star was an accomplished and well-respected general surgeon and breast cancer specialist who prided himself on providing exceptional care to his patients. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and also was a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery. He was a diplomat of the National Board of Medical Examiners, as well as a member of numerous other medical societies and groups. Dr. Star practiced at St. Francis Hospital, The Medical Center and Doctor’s Hospital (now Piedmont Hospital). He served as Chief of Staff at both The Medical Center and Doctor’s Hospital and was on multiple committees at all three hospitals.

Dr. Star was a longtime devoted member of Temple Israel, serving as its President and as a member of the Board. He especially enjoyed the Temple’s annual Deli Day fundraiser, where he could be found in the kitchen preparing and weighing corned beef for sandwiches. For the past several years, Dr. Star was a Board member of the Muscogee County Library Foundation. He was also active in the Rotary Club of Columbus.

Dr. Star was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara, to whom he was happily married for over 57 years. He adored Barbara and loved spending summers together with her at their vacation home in Sapphire, NC. He was a devoted father and grandfather, staying in touch through weekly phone calls during which he swapped family news and recounted the latest adventures of his beloved Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed going on family vacations, traveling to visit his family, and hosting them for visits to Columbus. For the past 14 years, Dr. Star was an active and social resident at Spring Harbor community. There he had many good friends and enjoyed bridge, chair volleyball and attending concerts, plays, and other social events.

Dr. Star is survived by his three sons Doug, Jon (Heather Hill), and Frank Jr. (Mindy); seven grandchildren (Noah, Leah, Nora, Ashley, Paige, Nathan, and Seth - all of whom called him “Grandoc”); a sister-in-law Kay Broda; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Israel or the Spring Harbor Foundation.