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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