Wolf F.C. Duvernoy M.D.

Wolf F. C. Duvernoy, MD, age 83, passed away on August 30, 2018 in his home in Ann Arbor, surrounded by his loving family. Wolf was born Wolfgang Fritz Claudius Duvernoy to Fritz Ludwig and Hedwig Luise Enriqueta (Elben) Duvernoy on April 16, 1935 in Stuttgart, Germany. He was the youngest of four siblings born to a prominent family in Stuttgart and as a child displayed great aptitude in math and science. He went on to study medicine at the University of Tübingen, and received his medical degree in 1959. In February 1960, he married Eva Sybille Hummel, whom he had met at age ten during his evacuation to Gerabronn to escape the allied bombing of Stuttgart. Wolf and Eva decided to go to the United States in 1960 so that Wolf could pursue an internship at Flower Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Although the couple intended to and briefly did return to Germany after internship, they were faced with a post-war housing shortage and less promising career prospects there. They decided to immigrate to the US and relocate to Detroit, where they made their home.

Wolf completed his Internal Medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital. During this time, the family expanded: Eva gave birth to a son, Christian Ludwig, and a daughter, Claire Sybille. Wolf was drafted into the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1966 and was stationed in Würzburg, Germany for three years, where he attained the rank of Major. His army service during the Vietnam era earned him U.S. citizenship and cemented his bond with his adopted homeland. Upon returning to the States, Wolf completed a yearlong cardiology fellowship and became a staff physician at Henry Ford Hospital. He specialized in consultative cardiology and was active in research and publishing in his field.

In 1975, Dr. Duvernoy relocated to Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI, where he practiced Cardiology for a total of 26 years, serving as chief of Cardiology for 16 years. He also served as Governor of the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Cardiology from 1993–1996.

In 2001, he and Eva moved to Ann Arbor, where their daughter and her family live, and Wolf joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as a part-time consultative cardiologist. He fully retired in 2010.

Throughout his career, Dr. Duvernoy was beloved by patients, staff and fellows. He won many teaching awards for his mentorship, and was the recipient of the American Heart Association’s Forrest Dewey Dodrill Award for excellence. Yet despite his distinguished career, he was always most devoted to his family, bringing up his son and daughter with Eva at his side, and encouraging their professional accomplishments. He kept close contact with his sister's family in Cincinnati and with his extended family in Germany, visiting them regularly and welcoming those who came to the Detroit area.

Wolf was a fighter who had a strong sense of social justice. He knew firsthand what loss, hunger and misery were like from his childhood during World War II. Because his family had lost everything, he was motivated to build a new life and succeed in his chosen career. He disliked authority but loved adventure and was passionate about his work. He showed respect throughout his life to people from all walks of life, no matter what their station.

Wolf was also a great lover of jazz since the time that he heard his older siblings dancing to forbidden Swing and Dixieland. He often took his family and friends to jazz clubs in Detroit, where they heard performances by many of the greatest jazz musicians of the twentieth century. Wolf and Eva also became supporting members of Orchestra Hall in Detroit, where they often went as a family to enjoy classical concerts. He and Eva were avid travelers, and took many trips to South America, Japan, China, Thailand, and Europe, which Wolf documented with great photographic skill. At home, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends over a cold drink and a sizzling, freshly grilled steak. Wolf was generous with others; giving back to the community in thankfulness at the opportunities, he had been given.

Wolf is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Hedwig Duvernoy, and his siblings, Hans Duvernoy, Jörg Duvernoy, and Rose von Volborth. He is survived by his wife Eva Duvernoy, his children, Christian and Claire Duvernoy, and his grandchildren, Sophie Duvernoy, Maximilian Bogun, and Eva Louise Bogun. A celebration of Wolf’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor on September 23, 2018 at 2 p.m. Please share a memory of Dr. Wolf Duvernoy at his online guestbook,

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