A life in medicine

In Memoriam: Aug. 1, 2023

View the names of recently deceased osteopathic physicians.

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The following list of recently deceased osteopathic physicians includes links to obituaries and online memorials if they’re available. Readers can notify the AOA of their deceased colleagues by sending an email to memberservice@osteopathic.org. You may also view a list of past In Memoriam columns.

Robert J. Aitken, DO, 77 (PCOM 1981), of Haddonfield, New Jersey, died July 6.

Ronald Dean Alexander II, DO, 58 (KCU-COM 1995), of Wilson, Oklahoma, died June 29.

Billy Michael Apostolon Jr., DO, 56 (WVSOM 2001), of Wheeling, West Virginia, died June 23.

Justin Joseph Bahoora, DO, 36 (LECOM 2015), of Southfield, Michigan, died in 2023.

Donald D. Buenger, DO, 90 (ATSU-KCOM 1960), of St. Charles, Missouri, died June 24.

Gary W. Cole, DO, 59 (UNECOM 1999), of Clarksville, Tennessee, died June 1.

Dirk B. Craft, DO, 71 (DMU-COM 1979), of Palmer, Alaska, died June 9.

James Melvin Croak, DO, 81 (MWU/CCOM 1968), of Maumee, Ohio, died Feb. 26.

Milton J. Dakovich, DO, 100 (DMU-COM 1953), of Des Moines, Iowa, died June 21.

James Earl Davis, DO, 79 (ATSU-KCOM 1970), of Longbranch, Washington, died May 13.

Joseph Milo Esposito, DO, 78 (DMU-COM 1970), of Morehead City, North Carolina, died July 7.

William “Bill” L. Hailer, DO, 96 (MWU/CCOM 1955), of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, died June 17.

Richard N. Halstead, DO, 76 (WVSOM 1978), of Mooresville, Indiana, died June 12.

William A. Kuchera, DO, 89 (ATSU-KCOM 1958), of De Pere, Wisconsin, died June 12.

John K. Lackey, DO, 70 (WVSOM 1979), of Summersville, West Virginia, died June 13.

Herman L. Lakritz, DO, 85 (PCOM 1966), of Wyckoff, New Jersey, died Feb. 22.

Paul D. Morrison, DO, 74 (OSU-COM 1990), of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died July 11.

Michael Peter Najarian, DO, 73 (PCOM 1977), of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, died June 20.

David Hays Prigg, DO, 78 (ATSU-KCOM 1971), of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, died June 9.

Thomas Edward Reilley, DO, 77 (KCU-COM 1971), of Niceville, Florida, died May 8.

Henry Eugene Ruehle, DO, 89 (MWU/CCOM 1963), of Houston, Texas, died June 10.

John Joseph Rutledge Jr., DO, 68 (ATSU-KCOM 1984), of Lakeland, Florida, died June 15.

William “Bill” Smith, DO, 93 (KCU-COM 1956), of Glendale, Arizona, died May 16.

Editor’s note: If you’d like to honor a colleague with a memorial contribution to the American Osteopathic Foundation, you can do so online.

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2 comments

  1. Michael E Fitzgerald, CAE, former staff secretary to the AOA Bureau of Osteopathic History and Identity

    We should not forget that the American Osteopathic Association inducted William A. Kuchera, DO, into the AOA’s Great Pioneers in Osteopathic Medicine.

    Reply

  2. Herbert Riehl

    Hi AOA folks! When we were young, we lived in Chicago in a neighborhood called Eastview Park. I’m out building lived Dr Raymond Kiesecker, who I believe was the President of the AOA, or maybe the director. My mom was good friends with them, and I believe did young for him. We moved away in 1960. I just wonder if you have any historical archives that mention him, or any details to share about the Kieseckers. (I might not have the spelling right even!). Thanks very much for having a look and letting me know if you see something!

    Reply

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