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Fallen SailorsDoc KermanDr. Herbert D. Kerman of Daytona Beach Shores spent most of his life helping cancer patients in the fight of their lives, but he also was instrumental in starting a local movement that eases the passage into death. The man whose name graces Halifax Health's Herbert D. Kerman Regional Oncology Center because of his efforts to start that program died Wednesday night at his home in the care of Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler -- the area's first hospice, which he was pivotal in starting. He was 93. The Duke University-trained radiation oncologist, credited with being among the first to use cobalt for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer still in use today, was remembered Thursday as a medical visionary who was also proud to have a hand in getting children of lower-income families into sailing. "He put four walls (of the cancer center) in before anyone...He knew exactly what to do before anyone else did," said Dr. Charles "Chick" Hechtman, a radiation oncologist at Halifax Health. Hechtman said that Kerman's spirit still pervades the oncology center. "His legacy is not minor," Hechtman said. "He has made a major contribution to the community and to cancer treatment in general." Kerman was born in Chicago, but grew up primarily in Palm Beach. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II, earning a combat Bronze Star Medal among other awards for his service in the Pacific Theater. After residency training at Duke and stints at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and Oak Ridge (Tenn.) Hospital, Kerman arrived at Halifax in 1956. There, he served in a number of positions: director of the department of radiology, president of the hospital staff and director of Halifax's health policy and outcomes management. He is credited with founding the area's first cancer program with Dr. Al Smith at Halifax, and starting the area's first hospice, now called Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, which is the area's largest locally based hospice. Mary Wallis of Ormond Beach, a nurse, recalled that he approached her after a meeting of the local American Cancer Society board on which they both served. "He said, 'I know you trained in London and are familiar with hospice. I'm thinking of starting one and I would like you to be my partner,' " Wallis recalled Thursday. "I didn't even have to think about it. I thought it was a wonderful idea." Wallis said that she was in charge of training the hospice volunteers, and "he did all the rest." Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler has grown from a chain of 17 volunteers working together in 1979 to an organization of hundreds of employees and volunteers and care centers in every corner of the area. "He touched so many people and came up with so many great ideas that will continue," Wallis said. But he wasn't all about medicine. He and a local dentist, Dave Dunn, started the 50-year-old Halifax Sailing Association, which made sailing accessible to children and adults who might not have had the opportunity. "Because of him, a lot of youngsters experienced the joy of being out in a boat in the wind," said John E. Evans, a longtime Halifax official. Dr. Bill Schildecker, who knew Kerman for 62 years, said his friend and colleague died peacefully. "He died the way he wanted to die," Schildecker said. "With his family. In his home. In his sleep. "He was a really fine person who was a tremendous asset to this community." Kerman's wife of 62 years, Ruth Kerman, predeceased him in 2004. The couple have four sons. Haigh-Black, Ormond Beach, is in charge. Gaulden ReedGaulden was a resident of Volusia County for 89 years.
Milton Beck - Son in law to Brian BlevinsGary GordenJim LassenTom Edwards 9/2006 |
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