Dr. Norman W. Zanger

Dr. Norman Zanger of Seven Lakes, Ft. Myers FL, formerly of Madison, NJ, died peacefully on April 14, 2015, just four days short of his 78th birthday. Dr. Zanger was born April 18, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn was at his core and shaped him into the self-made man he became. Stickball, the Yankees, and a good bagel with a schmere were in his blood, even when he no longer lived in New York. He was a graduate of Temple University, in Philadelphia and furthered his studies at the University of Brussels in Belgium where he received his MD and graduated with distinction. He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970 and was stationed at the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quinon, Vietnam and the Watson Army Hospital in Fort Dix, NJ.

Dr. Zanger became a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics in 1972 and practiced general pediatrics in Union, NJ for over 35 years. He was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMDNJ Medical School and was the founder and director of The Childhood Lead Clinic at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and at Elizabeth General Medical Center. These programs were responsible for increasing awareness among inner city families about the hazards of lead paint, thereby saving lives and reducing the suffering of thousands of children. He considered this his most important life’s work. Dr. Zanger was known by his colleagues, residents, nurses and patients as a most compassionate and dedicated physician and a gentleman to all. He was selected by his peers for the 1998 edition of The Best Doctors in America.

After his retirement in 2000 he obtained a certificate in Bioethics and Public Health from the UMDNJ school of Public Health and served on the St. Barnabas Medical Center Bioethics Committee in Livingston, NJ.

Throughout his life Dr. Zanger had a wide range of interests. A passionate fan of ice hockey, golf, classical music, opera, poetry, sports trivia and politics, he was always ready for a lively debate. He was a great storyteller and shared his wisdom and wit through stories from his youth and his career. He became an avid golfer and enjoyed the conversation and friendships that were so essential to his game.

Survivors include his beloved wife Jill of Fort Myers, Florida; his son, Lee (Jane) Zanger, and his grandchildren Annie and Ari of Annapolis, MD; daughter, Jennifer (Alejandro) Blanco, and granddaughter, Galianna of Brooklyn, NY; his son Dr. Matthew (Janet) Zanger and grandchildren, Sarah and Jonah of Swampscott, MA; stepchildren, Kendra (Jocelyn) Hebert and grandchildren, Nicholas, Karra, and Jacob of Loudon, NH; David (Kristie) Farrington and grandchildren, Nathan, Perri and Paige of Murfreesboro, TN; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 S. R. 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913 on Friday, April 24, 2015 from 12-1 p.m. with funeral and committal service to follow on premises. Reception will be held at Seven Lakes Golf and Tennis Community in Ft. Myers after committal service. Memorials may be made to Hope Hospice 9470 HealthPark Circle, Ft. Myers, Fl. 33908. Info 239-334-4880.