In-Memoriam: Michael Kleerekoper, MBBS

[Lauren Taggart]

It is with sadness we share the news of the passing of Dr. Michael Kleerekoper after a long illness.

 

Dr. Kleerekoper will be remembered as a prominent physician and scientist who was nationally recognized as an expert in the field of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Dr. Kleerekoper obtained his undergraduate and medical training, as well as internship and residency, at the University of Sydney in Australia. He then came to the United States for fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Washington University School of Medicine and The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis (now Barnes-Jewish). Upon completion of his fellowship, he joined the faculty at Henry Ford Hospital in 1976 and began his research focus in the area of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. While at Henry Ford, he served in various roles as Senior Staff Physician, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, Deputy Director of the Bone & Mineral Research Laboratory, Director of the Center for Osteoporosis Research and lastly, Division Head of the Bone & Mineral Division from 1985 until his departure in 1993, when he left to join as tenured faculty at Wayne State University. At Wayne State, he served as the Director of Research for the areas of Bone and Mineral Metabolism and Gerontology for the School of Medicine. He ultimately joined the faculty at The University of Toledo Medical School where he was Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Section Chief of the Endocrinology Division.

 

Mike Kleerekoper was an outstanding investigator, superior physician and an inspiring instructor. He was extensively funded by the NIH, widely published, and was on the editorial board of journals dedicated to osteoporosis. In 2006, Dr. Kleerekoper was recognized with the distinguished honor of Master of The American College of Endocrinology (MACE). His passing represents a loss to the specialty of Endocrinology.

 

Please join your colleagues in sharing your fond memories of Mike. ASBMR will share these messages with his family. Post your memory or condolences below, or consider making a donation in his memory.

[Guest Mena]

I am saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Kleerekoper. If it was not for him, I would not have been alive today.

In 2005, I was admitted to DMC for severe illness. I had no insurance and there was nearly no hope that anybody would be willing/able to do anything. Dr. Kleerekoper received my case. He made sure I get the treatment I needed and followed up with me until I had my surgery and recovered. At one point during one of the office visits, I felt so helpless and I burst in tears and cried (I was a 27-year-old grown man). Dr. Kleerekoper said to me at that time: Do not worry, I will fix you and when you become rich, you can pay me back. Condolences to the family for the loss of such a wonderful man