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In Memoriam ~ Dr. David Ahmann ’51

Dr. David Lawrence Ahmann, 82, passed away on August 8, 2015 in Fountain Hills Arizona where he resided with his wife Rosemary. He was born on May 21, 1933 in St. Cloud, MN. He attended Saint John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, MN and went on to study at Marquette University, ultimately graduating with a doctorate in medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1958. While in medical school, he met Rosemary Morrissey and they married on December 29, 1956.

David’s residency at Walter Reed Hospital led to service as a Captain in the Army Medical Corp where he was stationed in Muenchweiler Germany from 1958 to 1962 during the “Berlin Crisis”. Returning to the US in 1962 he began his career in medicine as a clinical oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. During his tenure he was instrumental in establishing Mayo’s Hospice Center, he helped establish the oncology hospital service at Methodist Hospital, served as Department Chairman of Medical Oncology, was appointed to the drug advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration, he helped establish the melanoma and breast cancer research areas at the Mayo Clinic, and was a leading investigator and developer of adjuvant studies for breast cancer patients.

It was in Rochester that he raised six children and his beloved Black Labradors. He loved cooking on the grill year round and did not let rain, sleet nor sub-zero degree weather deter him. He always said the richest part of his life was his family. He was a reluctant traveler but marrying Rosemary led him to adventures in Russia, South America and Japan.

Upon retirement he moved to his “little shack on the lake” near Minocqua, Wisconsin. He enjoyed living close to his brother Peter, fishing and serving on the community board, collecting water samples for the DNR, being a ranger at the golf course as well hitting the course with his friends and family. He was an avid landscaper and enjoyed gardening. It was here he connected with his grandchildren and shared his love of fishing with them. He was also known to visit the nearby casino on occasion.

He was preceded in death by his mother Clothilda (Hall), father Norbert, brothers Peter and Matthew and his son Mark. Surviving David are his wife Rosemary, children David, Mary (Michael), Carla (Andres), Greg (Jeanne) and Chris, grandchildren Mitchell, Robert, Haley, Jonathan, Joseph, Owen, and Lillian.

Memorial services will be held at St John’s Catholic Church in Rochester, MN on September 5, 2015 at 10 AM, visitation will be at 9 AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Seasons of Life Hospice Center: P.0. Box 770 Woodruff, WI 54568-0770.

Say not in grief that he is no more-but live in the thankfulness that he was. (Hebrew proverb)