James Hare, M.D.

James Donald Hare MD- Beloved local Kalamazoo Pediatrician.

Passed away at his treasured family home on Wednesday May 22, 2024, just shy of his 99th birthday.

Dr. Hare was born and grew up in Simcoe, Ontario Canada in 1925 of Nina Evelyn (Pond) Hare and Merrill David Hare. Donald was the eldest of five children in a very loving home. He and his brothers and sisters grew up near extended family in their hometown. He shared many happy stories of his childhood; from building ski jumps in their back yard to also watching Canadian Airforce pilots practicing maneuvers from a nearby farmers field with his cousin Murray. He sang in the church choir and his high school choir. Dr. Hare graduated in medicine from Queens University in 1950. He accomplished postdoctoral studies and practices in Pediatrics first in Trail, British Columbia, then at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa and finally at the Jackson Clinic in Madison Wisconsin before coming to Kalamazoo in 1959 to go into partnership with Dr. Edward Dozema. Dr. Richard Merriman subsequently joined them and remained in practice with Dr. Hare practicing general pediatrics until 1988. Dr. Hare began working at Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies -working with children requiring special services due to chronic health problems.

Dr. Hare achieved many accomplishments throughout the five decades he worked as a pediatrician. He assisted in bringing in-home IV antibiotic therapy for cystic fibrosis to Kalamazoo. He founded the Major Disease clinic in 1970, first for patients with cystic fibrosis and then included Diabetes Mellitus. He was instrumental in designing a postgraduate program in diabetes at KCMS. He served as Chief of Pediatrics at Borgess and Bronson hospitals and has treated thousands of patients over the years.

Dr. Hare developed his interest in the field of pediatric diabetes in earnest following his daughter's diagnosis in the 1960's. He volunteered as the camp doctor at Camp in Dr., a camp for children with diabetes. He also served as the president of the Michigan affiliate of the American Diabetes Association and participated on the National Youth Committee of the ADA. A highlight of that time was the beginning of the National Youth Congress, which brought young people from all fifty states to Washington DC for a three-day meeting that involved visits with legislators pertaining to issues related to living with diabetes.

While at KCMS Dr. Hare participated in the residency training program teaching medical students from Michigan State University on how to treat pediatric patients. Teaching doctors in training was always one of his most treasured experiences. He was an exceptional teacher and enjoyed preparing lectures and teaching students.

In 2009, Dr. Hare officially retired but he continued to help KCMS by working part-time because as he said, "They don't have anyone to take my place". This is a perfect example of his kindness and dedication to serving others. In retirement, he and his wife Karyl pursued his two favorite pastimes, sailing on their boat in South Haven, and gardening. He was a noted expert in growing roses, flowers, and vegetables. Dr. Hare sprouted vegetables and flowers from seeds under lights in his basement every year without fail, and even into 2024. Dr. Hare continued to be driven by his love of gardening. If he was not in the garden, or the basement under his lights, he was reading and studying about seed sources, gardening techniques and new varieties. He and Karyl donated hundreds of pounds of vegetables each summer to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, a local food pantry that came from their garden.

Our father was an extraordinary person. He was not only a husband, a father, a grandfather, and pioneer pediatrician, he was also an avid sailor, angler, renowned gardener, pianist, and vocalist. He was a skilled photographer, including developing film and printing photographs with his children in the basement. He loved music, his dogs, was a talented cook, and good food. He was an avid reader; a book and or his iPad were never far out of his reach.

Our father's philosophy and values in life were everyday wake up with a plan, accomplish -and improve whatever feels important to you. Take steps, go slowly, and be a caretaker: whether of nature, others, yourself, learn something new, just take steps. Take very good care of things you have and value them. Read, reread, study, examine, be curious, talk to people, treasure your family, learn from others. Cook! Listen to musical geniuses and study the literary giants. Be proud of your country and its leaders. Give to others, be not only a good conversationalist but more importantly be a good listener. Practice a foreign language and use it daily, exercise not only your mind but your body, study the stars, look at them every night. Memorize and refresh the fundamental subjects that are the basics of education. He was asked by his daughter why he read his medical journals at night and during his time off. He said, "I can never know enough".

A mentor to many, and a lifelong supportive guide to his children and grandchildren. A good listener, a loyal friend with a kind and generous heart. He was a very loving father. He taught his children to appreciate so many beautiful things in nature, a lake either roaring with high swells or flat as a mill pond. To appreciate a vibrantly colored flower, bright red cardinal, a perfect rose, a Coho Salmon on the line, the stars from our deck, or a beautiful sunset and many more. The exciting high wind on Lake Michigan could also bring out our dad's adventurous spirit and the thrill of a sail even on questionable days.

In 1952, he married Marilyn Lenore (nee McKillop) Hare, in Ontario and again in 1987, he married Karyl (nee Stuck) Hare in Kalamazoo Michigan.

His other greatest joy was his beloved family. Dr. Hare is survived by his dear and loving wife Karyl Lee Hare, his devoted children, Duncan Hare (Belynda), Jessica Hare (Shelley) and Victoria Kennedy (Howard), Peter McIsaac, (Camilla), Ines Ibanez, Amy Bryant (Pablo), His treasured grandchildren, Amanda Hare, Christina Hare, Sophia Kennedy, Liam Bryant, Molly Bryant (Diarmuid), Lucas McIsaac and Oliver McIsaac, Dr. Hare is survived by his sister Mrs. Judy Huson (John), his brother Mr. David Hare, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be announced later. Memorials may be made in Dr. Hare's name to the American Diabetes Association- diabetes.org, Camp Midicha, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes -Kzoolf.org, or The Humane Society.