In Memoriam
Posted: January 17, 2012
1940s ~ Fred C. Laitner, D.O., ’41, East Lansing, Mich.; Charles D. Ogilvie, D.O., ’42, Fort Worth, Texas; Mahlon L. Ponitz, D.O., ’44, Azle, Texas 1950s ~ Olis M. Wakefield, D.O., ’52, Virginia Beach, Va.; Sam W. Valuck, D.O., ’54, Denver, Colo.; Jack Wohlstadter, D.O., ’54, Rancho Mirage, Calif. 1960s ~ Paul V. Bonetzky, D.O., ’64, Russells Point, Ohio 1970s ~ Charles E. Curtis, D.O., ’74, Stuart, Fla. Paul V. Bonetzky, D.O., ’64, Russells Point, Ohio, died July 19, 2011, at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Dr. Bonetzky was born in Boston, Mass., on Dec. 7, 1938, to the late Walter and Laurissa Wolinek Bonetzky. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Joan Cuggino. Dr. Bonetzky completed his undergraduate work at the University of Scranton and attended medical school at ATSU-KCOM. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in Vietnam with the Green Berets and operated a MASH unit. Following his service to his country, Dr. Bonetzky worked as a physician in family practice in Lakeview, Ohio, and then built the Aries Center in Russells Point and moved his practice there. He had a love and passion for medicine. He also enjoyed traveling overseas, performing missionary work, and teaching laser surgery through Doctors Without Borders. When life became too stressful, Dr. Bonetzky found it therapeutic to move rocks and boulders to reinforce the wall around his home; thus his friends and family gave him the nickname of “the Rockman.” Dr. Bonetzky is survived by his children, Lisa, Paula, and Dean Bonetzky; his ex-wife, Rose Marie Bonetzky; granddaughter Natalie- Marie Chaffins; brother Dan Bonetzky, D.O.; and a special friend, Jeffrey Watson. A celebration of life was held July 30. Memorial contributions honoring the life and work of Dr. Bonetzky may be made to the donor’s charity of choice. Charles E. Curtis, D.O., ’74, Stuart, Fla., died July 31, 2011, at the Martin Memorial Medical Center. Prior to retirement he was a medical doctor in general practice in Lake Park, Fla., for 35 years. Survivors include his wife, Ann A. Curtis; daughter Dr. Lynora Curtis; sons Rob, Bryan, and Steve Curtis; one grandchild; and brothers James Curtis and Albert De Pompeis. Funeral services were held Aug. 6 at St. Luke Catholic Church. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 39105, at 800.822.6344, or at www.stjude.org. Fred C. Laitner, D.O., ’41, East Lansing, Mich., was born in Detroit on April 1, 1912, and died Aug. 23, 2011. He grew up in Wayne, Mich., and worked for the civil service on projects in Michigan and New York from 1930-40. After graduating from ATSUKCOM, Dr. Laitner was a general practice physician in Detroit until the late 1960s when he accepted a position at the Olin Health Center (Michigan State University) in East Lansing, retiring in 1982. After his retirement, Dr. Laitner completed a piano tuning and technician course of study at Michigan State University (MSU) and for several years cared for practice, studio, and performance pianos at MSU and the Okemos Community Church. He also served for many years as the librarian at the Burcham Hills complex. Throughout his life, Dr. Laitner enjoyed traveling with his wife and family and friends. Over the years, there were numerous driving trips in the United States and Canada, cruises and European travel, as well as winter months spent in southern states. Dr. Laitner and Dorothy Peck were married Dec. 30, 1944. Dorothy died in July 1990. Later, Dr. Laitner married Dorothy (Allinger) Linebaugh, who died in 1998. Dr. Laitner is survived by daughters Christine Laitner and Dorothy (Glenn) Litchfield; stepsons Robert and Tom (Nina) Linebaugh; grandchildren Nicole Cunningham, Christine Cunningham, and Ben (Becky) Litchfield; and step-children Bob Linebaugh, Jessica (Linebaugh) Leitz, and Tom C. Linebaugh; as well as numerous greatgrandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and his generation of cousins. Dr. Laitner will be remembered for his quiet care, sense of humor, and supportive love. A memorial service was held Sept. 12. Memorial contributions may be made to Almont New Church Assembly, c/o B.J. Neuenfeldt, 206 W. Center, Ithaca, MI 48847. Long-time Dallas resident and physician Charles D. Ogilvie, D.O., ’42, Fort Worth, Texas, died July 3, 2010, at age 92. His memorial service was held Aug. 15, 2010, at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Ogilvie was past president of the Wynnewood Lions Club, member of St. Georges Episcopal Church, and head of radiology at Stevens Park Hospital. He and his wife, Reva, ran the Arc Ridge Guest Ranch in Ben Wheeler, Texas, in the 1990s. Dr. Ogilvie was an avid marathon runner, setting many age group records. Mahlon L. Ponitz, D.O., ’44, Azle, Texas, died June 3, 2011. After graduating from ATSUKCOM, Dr. Ponitz spent the next 40 years at the old Art Centre Hospital in Detroit, later named the Michigan Osteopathic Medical Center, serving as executive vice president and chief medical officer until his retirement in 1984. Dr. Ponitz also served as an ATSU Board of Trustees member for nine years (1971-80). He is survived by a daughter, Patricia Jean Steininger; son Dr. Kenneth (Robin) Ponitz; brother Dr. Robert Ponitz; sisters-in-law Ruth Meyer and Lois Mueller; and two grandchildren. Sam W. Valuck, D.O., ’54, Denver, Colo., died Sept. 30, 2011. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps. Dr. Valuck was a graduate of University of Michigan and ATSU-KCOM. He practiced anesthesiology for 40 years. He is survived by wife Dorothy, sisters Annie and Millie, brother Dick, four children, and six grandchildren. Olis M. Wakefield, D.O., ’52, Virginia Beach, Va., was born Sept. 21, 1919, and died June 5, 2011, in Goldsboro, N.C. Dr. Wakefield was a World War II veteran and practiced osteopathic medicine in Virginia Beach for 50 years until his retirement in July 2000. He is survived by five children, Ouida Wakefield Carrington, Jayme Wakefield Melofchik, Gail Wakefield Tompkins, William Charles Wakefield, and Elizabeth Kathelle Wakefield. He was pre-deceased by children Douglass Anthony Wakefield and Ianna Shelly Wakefield. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held June 13. Donations may be sent to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. Jack Wohlstadter, D.O., ’54, Rancho Mirage, Calif., died Aug. 12, 2011. Raised in the Midwest, he served his country in World War II, graduated from ATSU-KCOM, and served patients in Los Angeles for more than 30 years. He leaves Brenda, his wife of 48 years, and children David (Ellen), Rich, Tom (Hana), Andrea (Rick), and Scott (Ursula), nine grandchildren, sister Elaine (Sid) Blitz, and the entire Blitz-Strause family. Donations may be made to National Jewish Health, Planned Parenthood, or Doctors Without Borders.