Don P. Baumblatt, M.D.

Don Phillip Baumblatt, MD, 77, passed away on May 24, 2010, surrounded by his family at All Saints Hospital in Racine. He was born in Racine on Feb. 11, 1933, son of the late Leonard P. and Ruth P. (nee: Levy) Baumblatt.

As he told his kids a hundred times, he knew he wanted to be a physician ever since he was a boy. So after graduating from Horlick in '51, he earned his BA and MD at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, did his internship at Philadelphia General, and his residency at Baylor. He also served as a Captain and physician in the Air Force in the Azores for two yrs. He had a private practice in Racine, where he was known as an expert diagnostician and for making his patients laugh with good humor and bad puns.

In 1965 he met his other great love: Geraldine W. Mattie, a nurse who served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. After just two weeks, he was smitten and proposed. They were married on Jan. 2, 1966. From then on they were seldom apart. He loved spending time with his family, being out in his yard. He swam a mile most every day. He also loved the arts: opera, ballet, films and musicals. He was creative and funny and lived to make people laugh. If you happened to be waiting next to him in line, by the end of it, you’d have told him your life story. He retired in '92, but continued to pore over medical journals, and friends never stopped calling for, or relying on, his help and advice.

He’s survived by his wife; his children, Don (Jane) Baumblatt, Geri Lynn Baumblatt (Jeff Biggus) and Juli Baumblatt; his two brothers, Glenn (Glady) Baumblatt, Michael (Sue) Baumblatt; and brother-in-law, Carl Mattie. He was preceded in death by his parents;and sister, Beth.

Special thanks to Dr. Paul Durbin, the nurses on 2C at All Saints, and his wonderful caregiver Undrakh Zundui.

Visitation will be at Grace Church, 3626 Hwy 31, Friday, May 28, 2010,from  4-6 p.m., with the funeral at 6 p.m. Afterward, friends and relatives are invited to meet with the family. Suggested memorials: Health Care Network, Grace Church, and Crossroad Bible Institute.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888