John Perring Birdzell, MD

John Perring Birdzell, MD, born August 24, 1910 in Grand Forks, ND, passed away on March 1, 2009 in Crown Point, IN after a brief illness. He attended The University of North Dakota, Phi Beta Kappa Honorary, 1932 and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, 1936. He is preceded in death by his parents, Judge Luther E. and Leola Birdzell, Judge Birdzell having been a member of the North Dakota Supreme Court and an architect of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC under the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration. Also preceded in death by brother, Attorney Robert Birdzell and sister, Dorothy Birdzell, a former Military & Veteran's Administration Nursing Executive. He was married to and is preceded in death by Helen Robertson Birdzell. They were married August 1, 1936. Helen passed away in May 1994. His second marriage was to Mary Anna Place Peacock of South Bend, IN in February 1995, she preceded him in death in December 2006. He is survived by his children, John R. JoAnn Birdzell of Crown Point, IN and Susan Dr. James R. Cumming of Indianapolis, IN, grandchildren, Eric J. Teresa Birdzell, John B. Ruthie Cumming and Dr. James G. Megan Cumming all of Indianapolis, IN, great-grandchildren, Jack, Margaret Maggie and Annie Cumming and Elly, Avery, and Josie Cumming all of Indianapolis, IN, brothers, L.E. Birdzell Jr. and Douglas Birdzell, both attorneys. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 4:00 PM at Geisen Funeral-Cremation & Reception Centre, NOTE: NEW LOCATION at 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN with John Starr officiating. Services will conclude at the funeral home with cremation to follow. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre in Crown Point from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Dr. Birdzell served in World War II in the Army Air Corp from 1942-1945 as a Flight Surgeon with the 806th Air Evacuation & Tactical Squadron, 9th Air Corp, stationed in England. He was awarded the Bronze Star and attained the rank of Major prior to discharge. He joined Dr. John Iddings in medical practice in Crown Point, IN in 1938 and with the exception of military service, practiced in the same downtown Main St. location for nearly 40 years, retiring from practice in 1977. For over 20 years, he partnered with Mary Carroll, MD, Crown Point's first female physician. Over his many years in practice, it is estimated that he delivered more than 2, 000 babies, performed more than 5, 000 surgical procedures and made more than 20, 000 house calls. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, past-president of the Lake County Medical Society and past president of the medical staff at Methodist Hospital in Gary, IN. In Crown Point he was a Rotarian for more than 50 years, serving as President in 1960. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and recipient of the James Knight Meritorious Service Award. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Crown Point for 70 years, serving as an Elder in the 1950's. He was deeply devoted to his family and was a loving, caring role model for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and former patients. He loved life and contributed significantly toward improving life for those around him. There is no better tribute to his memory than this. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Crown Point Community Foundation, 213 S. Court St., Crown Point, IN 46307 or a charity of your choice. To share a memory please visit the guestbook section on the obituary page at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com For information call 219-663-2500.