Ronald Kleopfer

Ronald G. Kleopfer, M.D. passed away at his home on Wawasee July 22, 2009.

He was born September 30, 1929 in Jefferson County, Indiana to Gale and Mary Kleopfer. After graduating from High School, he attended and graduated from Hanover College and then continued to Indiana University Medical School. Upon receiving his Medical Doctorate Degree, he completed his internship and residency in Orthopedics in Detroit and IU Medical Center in Indianapolis respectively. He also completed a spine fellowship at Toronto East General Hospital.

He was drafted in the Korean war and served from 1955-1957 in the USAF in the Basic Flight Surgeon School. In later years, he also served in the USMC and USAF reserves. Dr. Kleopfer moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1962 where he founded Orthopedics NorthEast (ONE). Dr. Kleopfer's office practice centered on the N. Clinton address and based his surgery at Parkview Hospital on State Street. Dr. Kleopfer specialized in the spine area and retired in 1994 with a much larger organization than he started with. He enjoyed his work immensely and especially those people he worked with at ONE and Parkview for 32 years.

Upon retirement, Dr. Kleopfer traveled extensively but spent most of his time with his beloved wife Carolyn at their homes in Wyoming, Indiana, and Florida. He enjoyed and was an active member in the Marco Island Presbyterian Church in Florida. He especially loved the mountains of Wyoming and was able to visit the area a week prior to his death. Dr. Kleopfer also was an avid rare book collector of early world geography and donated his extensive collection to Hanover College where they are housed in a dedicated room. Also at Hanover, he has the honor of a Lecture Hall in the Science building named after him.

Dr. Kleopfer was active in the Fort Wayne, Indiana community throughout his medical career serving on the Allen County Council and the Fort Wayne Community School Board as a member and past President. He also served on the Indiana State Board of Medical Examiners and on the Executive Board of the IU School of Medicine. He was also a member of the following organizations: Phi Gamma Delta, Alpha Omega Alpha, Scottish Rite, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Medical Society of Fort Wayne.

Dr. Kleopfer is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn, a daughter, Kimberly Pierce; 2 sons: Eric and Stuart; 7 grandchildren and a brother, Carroll of Madison, IN.

A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Mishler-Eastlund Funeral Home, Harris Chapel, Syracuse.

Visitation will be from 11 AM until time of service.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the North Webster Church of God, P.O. Box 313, North Webster, IN 46555 or Marco Island Presbyterian Church, 875 W Elkcam Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145-2213