In Memory

Stuart Blitzer - Class Of 1979

Dr. Stuart Blitzer wasn't your ordinary pediatrician.

He'd give up his office so moms could nurse their babies in private. He'd bend down to receive hugs from kids who would run full force down the hall and fling themselves into his arms. He never rushed parents who were peppering him with questions, even if the waiting room was full.

Many who sought his care said they felt they were able to connect with him in a way they couldn't with other physicians. They appreciated his humor and his directness.

This week, the families he helped are left wondering why a man who so loved children - he had five of his own - would commit suicide. According to the El Paso County Coroner's Office, Blitzer died Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The Colorado Srping Gazette, Aug 21, 2002

 

Tuesday, mothers came out of Blitzer's office red-eyed after being told of the pediatrician's death. Others who called the office hung up in disbelief after learning the rumor was true.

Blitzer, 41, cared for about 4,000 kids in Colorado Springs, many of them children who had serious medical conditions.

"He took a special interest in autistic children and children that were special-needs," said Dr. Sheldon Ravin, who shared an office on Printers Parkway with Blitzer.

Many of Blitzer's patients also were low-income and on Medicaid, patients many doctors in town do not accept because of the low or late reimbursements. Blitzer even was known to make free house calls on his lunch hour; it wasn't uncommon for him not to charge some patients for office visits. "I always would say he's the next guy destined for sainthood," Ravin said.

Tonja Olive turned to Blitzer after her son, Tucker, was born 14 weeks premature and needed a tracheostomy to breathe. She remembers being told Blitzer was the best when it came to special-needs children.

"One time Tucker had this horrible bug, and he was running a fever of 104," Olive said. "It was New Year's Eve, and I called the office and Dr. Blitzer called me at 10 o'clock on New Year's Eve.

"He was such an important part of this community, especially the special-needs community."

Tucker is now a happy 4-year-old who will be starting preschool in a week.

Another parent, Laura Harmon, also turned to Blitzer when her son, Gavin, was born 31/2 months early. She remembers Blitzer gave her his pager number and told her to call anytime, which she sometimes did. He also made weekend house calls to see Gavin.

Blitzer, who attended medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans, also became known as the go-to doctor for parents who were adopting children overseas. Three of Blitzer's five children were adopted, a son from Romania and two daughters from China.

He and his wife, Judith, were set to adopt another child from China this fall, and Blitzer was an active volunteer with Chinese Children Adoption International, an agency based in Englewood.

"He was very sacrificial and would walk the extra mile to help people - especially people who want to adopt children from China," said Joshua Zhong, co-founder and president of the agency. When the agency took over an orphanage in China a couple years ago, Blitzer accompanied Zhong to the facility to offer medical advice.

Blitzer was one of four people who "starred" in an informational video about the agency, through which he adopted his youngest daughter, a toddler.

As if his regular caseload weren't enough, Blitzer sometimes did free phone consultations with parents who wanted information about their adoptive child's medical conditions.

Blitzer's patient files were so full people sometimes waited 45 minutes or an hour to see him.

Kathie Halter, his nurse, said most people were willing to put up with Blitzer's tardiness.

"His most important thing was to talk with patients, not so much with the time frame," she said. "And most people who know him were willing to wait on him. Everybody knows he will give his undivided attention, he won't cut them short.

"He told his staff, his schedulers, 'Don't ever tell anyone we're too busy to be seen.'"

Even now, Halter said, she's telling Blitzer's patients not to make any changes; for the time being, physician's assistants and other doctors will fulfill appointments.

Blitzer's brother-in-law, Dr. David Dodd, said Blitzer "adored" children. "That's what makes it so hard. He left five, potentially six of his own, without a father."

Funeral arrangements have not been made.

 

 



 
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09/09/10 01:56 PM #1    

Lisa Getson (1980)

Stuart was a year older than us when we were at Mel-High but I will always remember his unbelievable intelligence, kindness, and that blindingly white, big smile.  It is no wonder that he became such a beloved pediatrician.  His extended Mel-High family was very saddened by the news of his passing at such a young age, and sends condolences to his family in Colorado and across the U.S.


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