48 March 21 • 2019 jn 48 March 21 • 2019 jn D avid Madgy, a pediatric surgeon known for his good humor and sense of adven- ture, died March 9, 2019, after a years- long struggle with cancer. He was 61. Born Nov. 1, 1957, Dr. Madgy attended Southfield-Lathrup High School, the University of Michigan and the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa. He decided to become a physician after he had open-heart surgery at age 15. A residency in general surgery at Oakland General Hospital in Madison Heights sparked his interest in pediat- rics, which led to a pediatric otolaryn- gology fellowship at Children’ s Hospital of Michigan, where he worked for 25 years. He was specialist-in-chief for otolaryngology at the Detroit Medical Center and an attending physician at Harper University, Providence and William Beaumont hospitals. He held many medical leadership positions, including presi- dent of the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Madgy, who lived in Franklin, was a professor of otolaryngology at Michigan State University and a volunteer clinical faculty mem- ber at Wayne State University’ s medical school. He published dozens of journal articles and book chapters and made numerous presentations. He had a side job as the “Rock Doc” at DTE Music Theatre in Clarkston, on call to visiting celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bon Jovi and Natalie Cole. He also secured a pilot’ s license so he could transport patients via air ambulance. He never let finances stand in the way of care, never turn- ing away a family with limited means to pay. He helped create Michigan State University’ s clinic in Malawi and partic- ipated in medical missions there for 10 years. He also volunteered his services in Peru. “David stood for balance, efficiency, perfectionism,” said Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, who delivered the eulogy at Dr. Madgy’ s funeral. He said Dr. Madgy had a “wonderful sense of humor, peppered with silliness, goofiness and lots and lots of teaching” and was the most loyal friend a person could want. He drew people in, made them laugh and put them at ease, while teasing them in a good-natured way. He liked to summarize his job as a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist as “boogers and snot.” His greatest love was his children, who described him as the “coolest dad ever.” Danielle said he always sent large amounts of candy to her at camp, even though it was strictly against the rules. And Devin remembers how his dad bought him boots with boosters in them before a family trip to Cedar Point when he was young, so he would be tall enough to get on the rides. He taught them to ski and play tennis, and cooked his signature turkey burgers, salmon and “amaz- ing” kugel for family meals. His nieces and nephews enjoyed going with him to local sporting events, where he always seemed to have great seats. Uncle David wanted to know all about their love interests, so he could give them advice and counsel. Dr. Madgy loved to travel and took his fam- ily on trips to Antarctica, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Peru and Aspen. In 2014, he and his children spent eight days climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. He was often late for airport departures, but somehow was able to talk his way onto the plane after the jetway doors had been closed — once after the jetway itself had been pulled back. He had an immense joie de vivre (joy of life) and was inspired by life, said his brother-in-law Sheldon Cohn. “I became inspired just being around him.” Cohn said when he told people he was Dr. Madgy’ s brother-in-law, they would “just light up.” He wanted his friends and loved ones to know he lived a good life and believed he left the Earth just a little better than he found it, Krakoff said. Dr. Madgy was the son of the late Max and the late Phyllis Madgy. He is survived by two of his triplet children, Danielle Tara of New York and Devin Elon of Franklin; a second son, Dylon Jason, died in 2011 at age 18. He is also survived by his sisters, Elyse Friedman of California and Barbara (Sheldon) Cohn of West Bloomfield; niece Victoria Friedman (Pablo Cantero); neph- ews, Anthony Friedman, Jonathan Cohn and Jeremy Cohn. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the Madgy Family Fund at Detroit Country Day School, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ■ Pediatric Surgeon and World Traveler with an Infectious Sense of Humor BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER soul of blessed memory Monument Center Inc. Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning “Same Location Over 80 Y ears” www.MonumentCenterMichigan.com Vision Specialists of Michigan 2550 S. Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield, MI HELP IS ON THE WAY If you have one or more of the following symptoms: Dizziness Headaches Neck Aches Drifting While Walking Reading Difficulties Light Sensitivity Anxiety… Then you may have a condition called vertical heterophoria (slightly misaligned eyes). To find out if this could be your problem, fill out a questionnaire at: www.isitmyeyes.com Or call us at 248-258-9000 for a questionnaire to be sent to you. 248-258-9000 vision-specialists.com