56 | MARCH 12 • 2020 

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‘An Icon in Dermatology’

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
K

nown for his intellect and 
insatiable curiosity, Dr. 
Peter Jerome Aronson 
applied his prodigious gifts to 
the practice of dermatology. 
Highlighting his 43-year career, 
he was assistant professor in the 
dermatology department at Wayne 
State University (WSU) School of 
Medicine and a supervisor in der-
matology for more than 37 years at 
John Dingell VA Medical Center. 
With the passing of 
Dr. Aronson, 67, of 
Bloomfield Township 
on March 1, 2020, for-
mer patients, colleagues 
and students lost a 
brilliant diagnostician, 
researcher and teacher. 
Dr. Aronson was also a 
kind, caring and devot-
ed family man. Rabbi 
Aura Ahuvia of the 
Aronsons’
 Congregation 
Shir Tikvah in Troy officiated at 
his funeral on March 4. 
Dr. Aronson was born in 
Chicago on April 19, 1952. 
Youngest brother Geoffrey 
Aronson lightened the mood by 
talking about the tall, skinny Peter 
becoming a champion eater at 
summer camp. By contrast, his 
brother John spoke of Peter’
s calm-
ing presence when they got lost 
skiing. 
Dr. Aronson graduated with 
honors from the University of 
Chicago’
s Pritzker School of 
Medicine. 
Dr. Darius Mehregan, chair of 
the WSU dermatology depart-
ment, said Dr. Aronson joined the 
faculty “because he loved teaching, 
research and, most of all, seeing 
patients.
” 
Known as an advocate for his 
patients, Dr. Aronson wouldn’
t 
give up until he reached a correct 
diagnosis. His particular interest 
was in dermatologic disorders, 

such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis 
and tuberous sclerosis.
Dr. Aronson won five Teacher of 
the Year awards at WSU and was 
honored in 2013 with a lectureship 
in his name. 
An enthusiastic audiophile, 
he particularly liked being home 
with his wife, Debbie (formerly 
Abrams). They met on a blind date 
and were married in 1982. 
The classical music they enjoyed 
influenced their soprano 
daughter, Justine Aronson, 
to become a professional 
opera singer. “My father 
could recall every melody 
in the classical musical 
canon,
” she said. Peter and 
Debbie were extremely 
proud of Justine.
Dr. Patricia Brown of 
John Dingell VA Medical 
Center said her colleague, 
Dr. Aronson, had a 
“remarkable influence” in building 
the facility’
s dermatology program. 
“He was an icon in dermatology.
” 
Dr. Aronson was the husband of 
Debbie Aronson, father of Justine 
Aronson, son of Jeanne Aronson 
and brother or brother-in-law of 
John (Debbie) Aronson, Geoffrey 
(Joanie) Aronson, Roz (Torry) 
Duffy and Heather Wright. 
He also was the son of the late 
Harold Aronson Jr. and brother-
in-law of the late Steven Davis.
 Interment was at Adat Shalom 
Memorial Park. Contributions 
may be made to Tuberous 
Sclerosis Alliance, 801 Roeder 
Road, Suite 750, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, (800) 225-6872, tsalliance.
org/ways-to-give/ or Wayne State 
University-Gift Processing, Peter J. 
Aronson, M.D., Endowed Lecture, 
700 Cass Ave., Suite 1200, Detroit, 
MI 48202, (313) 577-2424, giving.
wayne.edu/donate. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman 
Chapel. 

Dr. Peter Aronson

Soul
of blessed memory

shortly thereafter.
Dr. Frank practiced as an 
ophthalmic pathologist at 
the Kresge Eye Institute 
and Wayne State University 
School of Medicine in 
Detroit, where she moved 
with her family in 1976. She 
later completed a second 
residency in family medi-
cine, and practiced at the 
Detroit Medical Center/
Wayne State and then at the 
John D. Dingell U.S. Veterans 
Administration Hospital.
Her greatest love was her 
family, whom she encouraged 
to high educational and pro-
fessional accomplishment as 
well as loving parenthood. 

Had she lived, Dr. Frank 
would have had 12 grandchil-
dren, with the 12th born less 
than 24 hours after her death. 
She is survived by her lov-
ing husband, Dr. Robert N. 
Frank; children, Dale Frank 
(Elizabeth Hexner), Ariel 
(Andrew) Green, Stephen 
Frank (Adam Berger) and 
Gitta “Sissy” Frank (Paul 
Mitchell); brother, Dr. Werner 
(Anne) Spitz; and grand-
children, Leah, Anna and 
Noah Mitchell, Max, Daphne, 
Ethan, Benjamin, Hannah 
and Abigail Frank, and Isabel, 
Zoey and Aaron Green.
Interment was at Clover 
Hill Park Cemetery. 

Couple Dies Days Apart

 
Morris (Marty) Garfinkel, 83, of Novi, died 
Jan. 30, 2020. His wife of 60 years, Eleanore 
Garfinkel, 81, died 10 days later on Feb. 9. 
2020.
Morris and Eleanore met as teenagers and 
rarely spent time apart as they were truly best 
friends. They enjoyed going to the theater and 
movies together, as well as playing cards and 
traveling. 
Morris was a beloved teacher and depart-
ment head at Frost/Roosevelt Middle School 
and also taught at Wayne County Community 
College. Eleanore was a beloved teacher’
s aide 
at Hillel Day School’
s Little Red Schoolhouse. 
She was also an excellent paralegal.
They were the beloved parents of daughter 
and son-in-law, Jodi and Robert Weinfeld of 
Farmington Hills; son and daughter-in-law, 
Michael and Stacey Garfinkel of Oak Park, 
California; devoted grandparents of David, Sara and Ilana 
Weinfeld, and Noah and Alexis Garfinkel. They are also sur-
vived by sisters-in-law, Myra (the late Louis) Sonshine and Susan 
(the late Richard) Banks; as well as nieces, nephews and a world 
of friends.
Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. To further 
honor their memories, a donation may be made to the charity 
of your choice and, for those who are eligible, please consider a 
donation of blood or blood products. 

Morris Garfinkel

Eleanore Garfinkel

