Froese, Abram David (1899-1974)
Abram David Froese: general practitioner and surgeon; b. 5 September 1899 in Nikolajevka, Ukraine to David K. and Elisabeth Buhler Froese. He had 5 brothers and 4 sisters. On 15 June 1953 he married Dr. Katharina Bergen Koch (b. 1 January 1918 in Michelsburg, Ukraine, one of seven children; d. 7 January 1998 in Leamington, Ontario). They had one daughter, Carol Ann Froese, who became a psychiatrist. Abram d. 19 August 1974 in Leamington, Ontario. The funeral took place at the Leamington United Mennonite Church.
Dr Abram David Froese practiced medicine for forty years. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1932, interned at Western Hospital in Toronto, and took post-graduate courses in Germany, England and the USA.
Abram David Froese was Leamington 's first Mennonite doctor. He set up his practice upstairs on the north-east corner of Leamington's Talbot and Erie streets. Later he moved into a new building on John St. in Leamington, Ontario. Froese's life revolved around medicine and his patients. His patients were of many nationalities. The German and Russian/Ukrainian speaking individuals appreciated his command of their mother tongue. On Sunday mornings he often visited his bedridden patients, bringing treats and gifts for the patient's children, and seldom charging for this service. His former patients remember when they, as children, gathered at homes where electricity was available, and waited their turn to have their tonsils removed. His pharmacy was in back of his office where, among many other things, he concocted a cough syrup which was a sure cure for any and every cough and nothing even close to it was available over the counter.
Several interviewees attribute the fact that their mothers were able to deliver healthy babies to Froese's medical skills; other doctors would have been ready to sacrifice the baby's life in order to save the mother's. A typical example of Froese's generosity follows: A young father who had just come to Canada was ill for 6 weeks. Froese made the 7 mile trip to his house weekly. The patient recovered, and was told there was no charge. As a result of Froese's benevolence, this family was able to pay off their travel debt and they remember this kind deed with gratitude.
His patients, receptionists, friends and family agree that Abram Froese was a man of few words. He was a loving father and spouse. Although he lived frugally, Abram. Froese was a philanthropic individual who donated generously to many local causes. Froese retired from his practice in the Spring of 1974. He enjoyed his farm where he went regularly. And it was in his tomato field that Abram David Froese suffered his last and fatal, heart attack.
Bibliography
The Post. Leamington, Ontario (10 April 1974): 1.
Date Published | January 2004 |
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