Dr. John "Jack" Kihm

Dr. John "Jack" L. Kihm, M.D., passed away at home on November 24, 2020, after a long, courageous 9-year battle with cancer. Dr. Kihm was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on December 6, 1931, the son of Frances (Sturgess) and Otto Kihm. He attended grade schools in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, and Florida, and graduated from the Culver Military Academy class of 1949. Dr. Kihm was a graduate of the University of Michigan College of Literature and Science and the University of Michigan Medical School class of 1956. He served his post graduate Surgical Residency at Mt. Carmel Memorial Hospital, Detroit, Michigan from 1956-1958 and his Orthopedic Residency at Borgess Hospital from 1958-1961. He was certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1964 and was accepted as a Fellow of American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and was a member of American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons.

Dr. Kihm practiced orthopedic surgery in Kalamazoo from 1961 to 1990, founding Kalamazoo Orthopedic Surgery, PC. He retired from Surgery in 1990. An early pioneer in joint replacements in 1969, Dr. Kihm taught orthopedics in the Borgess/Bronson orthopedic residency in Kalamazoo. He served on the Board of the American Fracture Association and was a member of many medical societies including the Flying Physicians Association.

After retirement he decided it was time to give something back to his community, so he served on the Airport Committee and the Board of Governors of Spruce Creek Fly-in Community, Port Orange, FL. Dr. Kihm was an avid flier for 54 years and received the Orville Wright award for 50 years of safe flying from the Federal Aviation Agency in 2016 logging over 10,000 hours accident free in several models of single and twin-engine planes, most with fellow pilot, Patti.

Jack enjoyed water sports and scuba diving and was a member of the Undersea Medical Society. He was an opera lover and enjoyed music, tennis, and bridge. Jack was a true marksman with national and state awards in rifle, pistol, and shot gun. He was an avid reader and often had several books going at a time. He was constantly curious and never tired of learning something new. Jack was always indebted to his teachers through the years, many of them giants in their fields, and grateful to his mom and dad for providing the means to have access to his wonderful education. Most of all he loved his adventures in his airplane. He felt lucky to be married to Patti, the love of his life, for 44 years. His children became the highlight of his life and they all made him very proud.

Dr. Kihm is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Patti (Laurin) Kihm; children: Kathy (Pat) Mullen, Carrie (Bill) Teutsch, John (Jeris) Kihm, Eric (Carol) Kihm, Jeanne (Phil) Ellington, and Gretchen (Jim) Stegall; sisters: Mary Kihm Verdon and Peggy (Nels) Oman; 17 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 8 nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 AM December 9, 2020 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 Clyde Morris Blvd. followed by military honors. A memorial Mass will be celebrated 10 AM Saturday, April 17, 2021 at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Please visit Jack's webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you may archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign his online guestbook. Donations may be made in his memory to a Catholic School of your choice or Halifax Health Hospice 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange Florida 32129.