Ivan D. Frantz

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Frantz, Ivan D., Jr., MD Born January 16, 1916 in Smithville, WVa, Dr. Frantz was a long time member of the faculty of the University of Minnesota Medical School. He did his undergraduate studies at Duke University and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1941. After an internship at Springfield, MA Hospital, where he also met his wife, he joined the Navy. He served as Flight Surgeon on the aircraft carriers Ranger in the Atlantic and Essex in the South Pacific, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and being awarded a Bronze Star for Valor. At the conclusion of WWII he took a position in the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School where he began his research into the relationship of cholesterol and heart disease. He moved to the University of Minnesota as the Clark Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Chief of Cardiovascular Research in 1954. His early work defined the intermediary pathways of cholesterol metabolism, but later in his career his research interests became more clinical. He was principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health funded Minnesota Heart Study that linked diet, cholesterol and heart disease. He served in many local and national professional organizations, including as president of the Minnesota Heart Association. He ranks among the top 5% in history of NIH grant recipients, was responsible for the training of many more well known investigators. Dr. Frantz was an outstanding musician who played solo clarinet with the Duke concert orchestra. He also played with Les Brown, and after graduation from Duke was forced to choose between accepting a position in the Les Brown Band and attending medical school. In addition to his professional activities Dr. Frantz was very active in amateur radio. He obtained his first Ham license, W8AKG, as an eight grader. His subsequent call signs. W1PXY, WOWHM and WOBU, mark his moves across the country. He took particular joy in teaching youngsters including his sons and grandchildren about amateur radio and in helping them obtain their licenses. Recently he served as a trustee of the Twin Cities Repeater Club. He was also active with his sons as the Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 48, based at Corpus Christi Church in St. Paul, MN. He leaves his wife Veronica of nearly 67 years, and five sons and their spouses, Ivan (Barbara Shephard) of Hingham, MA, Charles of Roseville, MN, Donald (Barbara Bobrowski) of Taylors Falls, MN, Karl (Judith) of Madison, WI, and Robert (Janell Grazzini) of Rochester, MN. In addition he has 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Arrangements are through the Roseville Memorial Chapel, 651-631-2727. A memorial service in his honor will be held in February. Donations in his memory may be made to the Midwest Affiliate of the American Heart Association, University of Minnesota Medical School, or donor's choice.

Published on January 25, 2009