Leo Thomas Rozum. MD's Obituary
Leo Thomas "Tom" Rozum, MD passed away at age 73, Thursday, August 27, 2015. He left behind his wife Kiernan, daughters Jean (Detjen), Lizabeth and Jennifer (Viola), his grandchildren Brendan, Eric, and Bailey, and his extended family of relatives and friends across the globe. He was predeceased by his father and mother, George and Dorothy (Murphy) Rozum, his brother Tony, and his biological mother Irene Slavik.
In life, Tom was a dreamer, world traveler, master humorist, music & opera aficionado, star gazer, deep thinker, life-long learner, medical healer, art appreciator, and gentle lover of all creatures great and small. Tom's memorable and often irreverent sense of humor was a defining characteristic of a man who revered laughter and humor in all its forms. His bright and open mind was continuously awestruck by the enormity and wonder of the universe and its many mysteries. Tom's inclusive nature shone a welcoming light on those he encountered both near and far.
Tom's wanderlust took and him and his wife Kiernan to many interesting places. Favorite trips include Ireland by car in 1981, a pilgrimage to sacred spaces in 2002, a camera safari of African animals in Kenya in 1997, a trip to Antarctica by ship in 2007, and repeated visits to Ixtapa, Mexico where Tom was an especially generous tipper (to the delight of the resort workers whom he made a point to get to know by name). Tom also spent much time at his and Kiernan's cherished log cabin in the Wisconsin woods nestled on the Pine River.
Born in Aberdeen, SD in 1941, Tom was raised in Watertown, SD where he met his childhood sweetheart, Kiernan, to whom he was married for 52 years. Together they raised their three daughters in the company of their beloved dogs Muffin, Mick, and Micky (who is ridiculously spoiled and adored despite her propensity for protectively nipping the behinds of strangers and tormenting delivery people.)
Dates of note: Graduate of University of Notre Dame, 1963. Married Kiernan (McGrann '60) in June, 1963. Medical College of Wisconsin (formerly Marquette), 1963-67. Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, 1968-70. Residency in Dermatology, 1970-73. Private practice in Dermatology in Oshkosh, WI, 1973-2000. Chief of Staff, Mercy Medical Center, 1994-95. Part time Dermatology, Community Health Network, Berlin, WI, 2000-2012. Sub-specialties included General Surgery and Family Medicine.
There will be a Visitation Wednesday September 2, 2015 evening from 4-7pm at Fiss & Bills Funeral Home on Westhaven Drive in Oshkosh. A Funeral Mass and Memorial Celebration of Life will be held 11am Thursday September 3, 2015 at St. Jude the Apostle Church (St. Vincent Church. 216 W. South Park Ave) in Oshkosh, with prior visitation time there starting at 10am. A luncheon will follow at 12:30pm at the Oshkosh Country Club.
For those unable to attend, Tom would love to know that you had a hearty chuckle at a fond memory of his mischievous antics or a warm smile over a recollection of his many kind gestures. If he could have his way, his spirit would likely now be residing somewhere reminiscent of his South Dakota family cottage, floating happily on a boat on Lake Kampeska while listening to his old radio, sipping a cold beer and gazing up at the sky.
In lieu of flowers, it was Tom's wish that memorial contributions be sent to the Boys & Girls Clubs or Salvation Army.
　
Fiss & Bills Funeral Home & Crematory
865 S. Westhaven Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
(920) 235-1170
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