obituaries

Visionary Surgeon

Pioneering ophthalmologist Dr. Ronald M. Coburn
developed lenses, donated surgeries.

Carolyn Krieger-Cohen
Special to the Jewish News

that offered ophthalmologists a more pre-
cise method of measuring the eye for the
proper fit of replacement lenses. A leader
in the diagnosis, research and treatment
onald Murray Coburn, M.D.,
of cataracts and related diseases of the
F.A.C.S., never turned anyone
eye, Coburn was the first Michigan oph-
away in need of
thalmologist to be board-
eye surgery; if patients did
certified by the American
Board of Eye Surgery in
not have insurance or could
not afford a necessary pro-
cataract and intraocular
cedure, he simply would not
lens surgery.
charge them. The renowned
Coburn performed thou-
ophthalmologist's extraor-
sands of successful eye
dinary generosity, as well as
surgeries during his career,
six intraocular replacement
including 42,000 cataract
lenses used worldwide that
implants. He saved all of the
he designed and developed,
thank-you notes written to
are part of the physician's
him by his patients, which
Dr. Ronald M. Coburn
remarkable legacy. Coburn
included such heartfelt mes-
died May 5, 2015, at age 71
sages as "We feel so blessed
after a brief illness.
to have you as our doctor;
An internationally known lecturer,
"You are a blessing to me and my fam-
teacher, technical adviser, author and one
ily" and, in one special handwritten note
of the nation's leading cataract surgeons,
dated Sept. 16, 2004, "When one regains
Coburn was among a small number of
one's vision, one regains his life. To my
ophthalmologists during the 1980s to
great benefactor, Dr. Coburn, my lifelong
revolutionize cataract surgery. Two of the
gratitude:'
lenses he invented were judged to be the
Coburn attended the University of
most nearly perfect fit for the anatomy of Michigan and graduated magna cum
the human eye.
laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a bach-
Coburn was tireless in his efforts to
elor of science degree from Wayne State
perfect cataract treatment and co-devel-
University in 1965. He received his
oped a software system called Lens Stat
medical degree from the Wayne State

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YeshiVa

BETH YEHUDAH

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28 lyar May 17, 2015

Hyman Fenkel
Sarah Iger
Louis Kazdan
Bessie Landgarten
Laura Nusbaum
Ruth Ratner
Abraham Sachs
Philip Schlussel
Chaja Rachel Siwek
Tillie Snyder
Dorothy Terebelo
Etta (Pascal) Waldman

29 Iyar May 18, 2015

Florence S. Dann
Adolph Gastman
Sam Kleiman
Charles Lesser
Regina Levi
Janette Noler
Boris Joseph Sheawitz
Morris Sklar
Eva Stein
Eva Wexler

1 Sivan May 19, 2015

Jennie Bolker
Ethel Cash

During the coming week, the students of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
will study in memory of the following departed friends.
In addition, Kaddish will be said during the daily minyan.

Solomon B. Cohen
Max Erstein
Helen Farczadi
Samuel Kaner
Gizella Klein
Yetta Rosenberg
Rose Schwartz
Jake Sherman
John Zarkin

2 Sivan May 20, 2015

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Jeanette Bloch
Moshe Cohen
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Samuel Pomerantz
Bertha Roth
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3 Sivan May 21, 2015

Chaya Tzipa Chesluk
Abraham Isaac Davidson
Taube (Tillie) Dresner
Jack Holzman
Michael Malter
Harry S. Markowitz
Daniel Richard Rollins

Jean Wander
Gertrude Wolfe

4 Sivan May 22, 2015

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Elsie R. Greene
Harry Greenstein
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Rachel Ross
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Lana Soloveichik
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5 Sivan May 23, 201..

Nathan Beitner
Jay S. Bodzin
Israel Eisenshtadt
Esther Fidler
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Louis Lesonsky
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Obituaries

University School of Medicine in 1969
and did his post-doctoral training at
Harper Hospital. Coburn served as the
chief of ophthalmology at Straith Hospital
for Special Surgery, was president of
the Cataract Specialty Surgical Center
in Berkley and was the founder of the
Coburn Clinic (later named the Coburn-
Kleinfeldt Eye Clinic) in Dearborn and
Livonia.
His fellowships included the American
College of Surgeons, International College
of Surgeons, American Academy of
Ophthalmology, Society of Eye Surgeons,
Royal Society of Medicine (London),
Leadership Society, American College of
Eye Surgeons, and Society for Excellence
in Eyecare. Coburn was a member
of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, American
Society of Cataract and Refractive
Surgery, American Diabetes Association,
Michigan Ophthalmological Society,
Michigan State Medical Society, Wayne
County Medical Society, Research to
Prevent Blindness, New York Academy
of Science, International Association
of Ocular Surgeons, International
Eye Foundation, Society of Geriatric
Ophthalmology, International Glaucoma
Congress and others.
Coburn's other lifelong passion was
professional racecar driving. The native
Detroiter became fascinated with cars
when he was 3 years old and, as he grew
older, often said that one of his life ambi-
tions was to come in first place at Sebring
International Raceway in Florida. One
of Coburn's biggest thrills was coming in
first place in 1997 in the Paine Webber
Endurance Championship, mid-Ohio.
Coburn married the love of his life,
Barbara Joan Levy, on Feb. 23, 1969,
and they recently celebrated their 46th
wedding anniversary. He was extremely
proud of his two children, Nicholas (Kari)
Coburn and Lauren (Adam) Levitt, and
adored his three grandsons, Jacob and
Aaron Coburn, and Zach Levitt.
The Bloomfield Hills resident is also
survived by his devoted brother, Martin
Coburn; his dear mother-in-law, Helen
Levy; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr.
Howard (Nina) Levy and Dr. Philip
(Denise) Levy; many loving nieces, neph-
ews, family members, friends and his
loyal dog, Sascha. He was the son of the
late Jean and Sidney Cohen.
A private graveside service was held
May 7, 2015, at Machpelah Cemetery in
Ferndale. Charitable contributions can
be made to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements were handled by
Dorfman Chapel.

❑

MONTE BLOCK, 90, of
Seattle, Wash., died May 1,
2015.
He was a longtime
resident of Detroit and Oak
Park. He was a veteran of
World War II, seeing action
across Europe and sing-
Block
ing in the Division Chorus
throughout Europe follow-
ing the war. The Blocks moved to Seattle in
1990.
Mr. Block is survived by his wife, Thelma;
daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Larry
Herman of Maputo, Mozambique, and
Jerusalem, Israel; daughter and son-in-law,
Ellen and Joseph Carl of Seattle; grandchildren,
Reuven and Aaron Herman of Los Angeles,
Shoshana Herman of Boston, Brad Carl of
Fayetteville, Ark., and Evan Carl of Seattle.
Contributions may be made to the Myositis
Association (http://www.myositis.org/), which
provided Monte with wonderful support.

DONALD J. BURNSTEIN, 91, of Bloomfield
Hills, died May 3, 2015.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-
in-law, Marty and Barbara Burnstein of West
Bloomfield, Robert Burnstein and Arlene
Lullove of West Bloomfield; grandchildren,
Jeremy (Alexandra) Burnstein, Scott Burnstein,
Jamie Burnstein; many loving nieces, nephews,
other family members and friends.
Mr. Burnstein was the beloved husband of
the late Arlene Burnstein; the brother of the
late Mildred (the late Irv) Schiff, the late Alfred
(the late Charlotte) Burnstein.
Contributions may be made to March of
Dimes or to a charity of one's choice. Interment
took place at the Clover Hill Park Cemetery
in Birmingham. Arrangements by Dorfman
Chapel.

MICHAEL ROBERT COLE,
74, of West Bloomfield, died
May 7, 2015.
He is survived by his wife
of 31 years, Ellen Cole; sister
and brother-in-law, Linda
Cole Berry and Bruce Berry;
brother-in-law and sister-in-
Cole
law, James and Ruth Grey.
He is also survived by Ellen's
children, James Bramson and Julie Bramson-
Zalla; Julie's children, Ryan Zalla and Kyle Zalla;
many loving nieces and nephews.
Mr. Cole was the devoted son of the late
Myron and the late Adele Cole.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Jewish
Historical Society of Michigan, 6600 W. Maple
Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.
michjewishhistory.org; Temple Israel, 5725
Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323,
wwwtemple-israel.org; or a charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

LAWRENCE FISHER, 74, formerly of Detroit
and Brooklyn, N.Y., died after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Fisher was very active in the Walter
Hagen annual golf outing. He also spent many
years of his life helping disadvantaged high