 APRIL 2 • 2020 | 47

Soul
of blessed memory

A Pioneer In Healthcare

Calvin J. Lippitt, 95, passed away March 21, 
2020.
He graduated from Central High School in 
Detroit in 1942. In 1949, he graduat-
ed with a bachelor of science degree 
from University of Michigan. 
Mr. Lippitt was a corporal and 
weather specialist in the U.S. Airforce 
from 1943-1946. He then worked as a 
salesman for paper, coffee and finally 
health insurance, along with complet-
ing coursework in public relations, 
health education and news writing at 
Wayne State University and University 
of Michigan.
He was a pioneer in health insurance, 
health markets and health maintenance 
organizations. He was heavily involved with 
the Group Health Services Association, a 
credit union health plan from 1957-1960, 
and he was a member representative of the 
Community Health Association from 1960-
1970. He also acted as administrator/planner 
of Detroit Model Neighborhood and pro-
vided comprehensive health care to Detroit 
neighborhoods from 1970-1972.
Mr. Lippitt was a dedicated member 
of numerous organizations, including 
the American Public Health Association, 
Michigan Public Health Association, Citizens 

for Better Care in Nursing Homes, Group 
Health Association of America, HMO con-
sultant to Detroit Department of Health, 
Education & Welfare, chairman 
for South Oakland Citizens 
Advisory Committee, Michigan 
Welfare League, director of com-
munity health planning in the 
Department of Community & 
Family Medicine at Wayne State 
University School of Medicine 
and was an adjunct faculty mem-
ber with Wayne State University 
Medical School.
He also served in the 
Department of Community Medicine from 
1972-1974, was CEO of Group Health Plan 
of Southeast Michigan HMO from 1979-
1985, CEO of SelectCare HMO from 1985-
1990 and HMO consultant from 1990-2000. 
He was the first vice president of Oakland 
County Alliance for the Mentally Ill, a mem-
ber of National Alliance for the Mentally 
Ill (NAMI), Oakland County Council 
for Children & Adults with Psychiatric 
Disabilities (OCAP) and was an OCAP board 
member from 1995-2002.
In 2000, Mr. Lippitt founded the Michigan 
Consumer Evaluation Team (MCET); and, 
under his direction, MCET was established. 

This organization is a consumer-driven 
monitoring team, surveying other consum-
ers about the access, availability and quality 
of mental health supports and services. The 
information they gather is forwarded to ser-
vice providers as a way of continuous quality 
improvement in the mental health system in 
Michigan.
He served as a board member with 
Oakland County Community Mental Health 
and Easter Seals. He worked tirelessly for 
universal healthcare, calling it “single payer” 
in the 1990s, through many organizations 
including state and federal government; it was 
an unrealized dream.
Mr. Lippitt was the beloved husband of the 
late Roberta Myers; loving father of Michael 
and Robert; dear grandfather of Jeremy.
He was the son of the late Irving and 
Minnie; twin brother of the late Alvin; broth-
er of the late Sharon and the late Helen.
Private services were held. Contributions 
may be made to National Alliance for the 
Mentally Ill, Easter Seals, Southern Poverty 
Law Center, Planned Parenthood, Judicial 
Watch, Detroit Public TV
, UNICEF, Jewish 
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, the Detroit 
Zoo or NARSAD Brain Research Foundation. 
Arrangements by the McCabe Funeral Home, 
mccabefuneralhome.com. 

Calvin J. Lippitt

JACK 
BACKALAR, 89, 
of West 
Bloomfield, died 
March 22, 2020.
He is survived by 
his daughter and son-in-law, 
Arlene and Alan Gildenberg; 
son and daughter-in-law, Ernie 
and Julie Backalar; grandchil-
dren, Elyse (Ryan) Jahnke, 
Eric Gildenberg, Jamie (Sam) 
Silverman, Jodi Backalar and 
Dylan Backalar; great-grand-
daughter, Madyson Jahnke; 
many other loving family 
members and friends.
Mr. Backalar was the beloved 

husband of the late Edith 
Backalar; brother of the late 
Mildred (the late Norman) 
Kramar.
Interment was held at 
Adat Shalom Memorial 
Park Cemetery in Livonia. 
Contributions may be made 
to the Jewish War Veterans 
or to a charity of one’
s choice. 
Arrangements by Dorfman 
Chapel.

JUDGE JEROME 
BLUM, 84, of West 
Bloomfield, died 
March 26, 2020. 
He is survived 

by his wife, Arlene Blum; 
daughters, Sara Blum-Stapleton 
and Beth Blum; stepchildren, 
Jerrold and Carolyn Emery, 
and Lisa and Todd Elkin; 
grandchildren, Alexandra 
Stapleton, Josh Elkin, Aaron 
Elkin and Nathaniel Emery; 
nephew, Keith Hark.
Judge Blum was the loving 
brother of the late Betty Hark.
Interment was at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to Simon 
Wiesenthal Center, 1399 S. 
Roxbury, Los Angeles, CA 
90035, wiesenthal.com; or 
USC Shoah Foundation, 650 

W. 35th St., Suite 114, Los 
Angeles, CA 90089-2571, sfi.
usc.edu. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.

DOLORES “DEE” 
BRODE, 89, of 
Palm Beach 
Gardens, Fla., died 
March 26, 2020. 
She is survived 
by her husband of more than 
70 years, Seymour Brode; chil-
dren, Rick Brode and Rima 
Kim, Marcy Trager and Mark 
Brode, and Lori and Larry 
Garon; grandchildren, Robert 
Trager, Laura and Ryan Trager, 

continued on page 48

047_DJN040220_OB Obits.indd 47
047_DJN040220_OB Obits.indd 47
3/30/20 1:02 PM
3/30/20 1:02 PM

