Frederick P. Zuspan MD
Frederick P. Zuspan, M.D., age 87– an internationally renowned leader in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology – died peacefully Sunday June 7, 2009 in Bloomington, MN.
He was born January 20, 1922 to Irl Goff and Kathryn (Speyer) Zuspan. Fred was raised with his brother, George William and sister, Janet in Richwood, Ohio where he graduated from high school. His studies at Ohio State University were interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a Marine fighter pilot in the Pacific theater (V.M.F. 314 flying F4U Corsairs.) and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1943, Lt. Zuspan married Mary Jane Cox.
After the war Fred resumed studies at OSU receiving his B.A. (1947) and M.D. (1951). After his OB/GYN residency at Ohio State and Case Western Reserve, Dr. Zuspan spent two years as Department Chief at McDowell Memorial Hospital in Kentucky before returning to Case Western University for the Oglebay fellowship in Reproductive Biology.
Dr. Zuspan’s career in academic medicine included OB/GYN Department Chairs at the Medical College of Georgia (1960-1966), the University of Chicago (1966-1975) and the Ohio State University College of Medicine (1975-1987). He became a Professor Emeritus at OSU in 1991 where a named professorship, the Frederick P. Zuspan Chair, was established in his honor.
Dr. Zuspan was a leading researcher in the field of maternal-fetal medicine. He is known for being the first to promote the intravenous use of a specific drug treatment for pregnant women with preeclampsia-eclampsia. This method of treatment, now internationally adopted, remains the standard for treating this disease over 45 years later.
Dr. Zuspan’s passion for teaching led him to train countless fellows, residents and medical students and to serve as a medical missionary in Africa and Malaysia. He served as editor of numerous medical journals including the Journal of Reproductive Medicine and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He authored/edited scientific articles, book chapters and textbooks, and led in the establishment of Perinatal Resources, an organization committed to the continuing medical education of practicing physicians. Dr. Zuspan was involved in many medical societies and served as a Director of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a founder of its Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Following retirement from clinical practice, Dr. Zuspan remained active as a journal editor and served as a board member of Matria Healthcare Inc. He also continued his lifelong interests in golf, fishing, and photography. He was always a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Dr. Zuspan is preceded in death by his parents and a grandson Taylor S. Zuspan. He is survived by his two siblings, his wife, and children: Mark Zuspan (Sandra Miller), Kathryn Zuspan (William Kaylor, Jr.) and Bethany (John) Valentine. His grandchildren, Sarah (Nick) Jampol, Laura Zuspan, Caroline Kaylor, Jennifer Klein, Amy Klein, Nicolaus Klein and Matthew Valentine also survive him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a fund that Dr. Zuspan created to support perinatal research and education for high risk pregnancies at OSU: Perinatal Development & Research Fund 307744 at The Ohio State University Medical Center; 660 Ackerman Road, PO Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112 or to the March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605 Attn: DRFR. (www.marchofdimes.com)
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, in Dr. Zuspan’s hometown of Richwood, Ohio with Rev. Dr. John Valentine officiating. Burial will follow in Claibourne Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the Richwood Area Veterans. Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, June 19 at the funeral home where a Masonic Service will be conducted at 8 PM.
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballingerfuneralhome.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home