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 R YeshiVa BETH YEHUDAH min> rly1 !liven 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 Ethel Allen Emma J. Berg Jeanette Bloch Moshe Cohen Harry Samuel Gottlieb Samuel Pomerantz Bertha Roth Morris Stern Minnie Suchman 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 Max Feuerman Elsie R. Greene Harry Greenstein Lenore Katkin Lena Levine Rachel Ross Etta Schultz Lana Soloveichik Gary A. Zieger 5 Sivan May 23, 201.. Nathan Beitner Jay S. Bodzin Israel Eisenshtadt Esther Fidler Teresa Glancz Max Glassman Fanny Kaplan Yetta Ketchen Louis Lesonsky Beatrice Levitt David Margulies Sol Nusbaum Sam Solomon Send a tribute in memory of a loved one —Visit www.DetroitYeshiva.org/JNtributes. YESHIVA BETH YEHUDAH • School for Boys • Beth Jacob School for Girls • Early Childhood Development Center Weiss Family Partners in Torah Program • Kollel Bais Yehudah • Bnos Bais Yehudah—Maalot Detroit 15751 West Lincoln Drive • Southfield, MI 48076 • 248-557-6750 • Fax 248-557-6838 • www.DetroitYeshiva.org 1980740 70 May 14 • 2015 JN 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