Donald Germann, MD

Donald Ross Germann was born August 1, 1923 in Alta Vista, Kansas to Ethel Ross Germann and Albert R. Germann. His birth was attended by the family general practice physician, Dr. Breathour, who he respected over the years, and influenced his decision to go into medicine.  He grew up on the family farm and went to grade school in a one room schoolhouse, where he was the only student in his grade for eight years.  During high school he “lettered” in football, basketball and baseball for all four years.  In September of 1944 he began his premedical education at the University of Kansas.  With one semester left before medical school, Don was sent to Leavenworth Military base for basic training.  They were taken to a railroad station, put in cattle cars, and the dust covered farm boys were delivered to Yale.  Yale provided some of the most memorable experiences of his life.  One fond memory was of the Glen Miller Band marching down the street in front of his dorm every day as they practiced being an army marching band.

Don completed medical school at the University of Kansas on the GI Bill.  During his medical school years, he met and married a nursing student, Ruth Long, in 1945.  He passed the American Board Exam in Radiology.  As the war in Korea began, military doctors were needed.  Don, Ruth and their two young children were sent to the Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS.  After 10 months, Dr. Germann was then sent to England.  Upon returning to Kansas City, Dr. Germann joined the staff of the University of Kansas Medical Center where he rose to the rank of full professor.  He specialized in nuclear medicine and became an American Board examiner in that field.  He continued his career at St. Luke’s Hospital.  When there was a radiologist shortage at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Dr. Germann volunteered to work there from 4:00AM to 8:00AM for two years while working his full-time job at St. Luke’s.  Dr. Germann was asked by the Atomic Energy Agency to spend one month a year teaching nuclear medicine in third world countries.  He did this for eight years, working in Thailand, China and Ecuador. Besides these trips, Don and Ruth traveled extensively and had many adventures in their 75 years together.

In addition to his medical Career, Dr. Germann also wrote three books: “Too Young to Die”, “The Anti-Cancer Diet”, and “Retirement is Over-Rated”.  He is survived by his wife, Ruth Long Germann, his two daughters, Janice Baker (James), Patricia Beattie Kempl (Rezso), grandchildren, Ross Beattie (Katie), Amanda Kempl, Kevin Kempl (Kristine), and great grandchildren, Ruth Beattie, Soren Kempl and Mason Kempl.  Don was a loving father and husband and will be greatly missed by family and friends.  No funeral service will be held at the time due to Covid-19.