Andrew Jackson Krapohl, MD, 90 years young, of Burlington, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. His high school sweetheart Patricia Krapohl was at his side.
Born in Flint, Michigan on March 10, 1934, he was the son of Walter G. and Murna (nee Scharffe) Krapohl. His early life was spent in Flint and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most of his career was spent in Jackson, Michigan; later retiring to Lincoln, Michigan (Lost Lake Woods) and then to Burlington. Jack graduated from Flint Central High School, Class of 1952. He was a third-generation graduate of the University of Michigan, earning his AB in 1952, his MD in 1956 and an MSBE in 1976.
On Aug. 25, 1956, in Flint, he married Patricia Ann Averill. He was a caring, generous, and loving husband and partner. Jack and Patricia became parents to a family of five children. Jack was an amazing dad; his family considered the greatest joy and accomplishment of his life and he showed it. He recognized and inspired the unique gifts of each child and encouraged their individual dreams. He taught his family by example. This included the lessons of life-long learning, hard work, integrity, humor, humility, service, and respect for all people no matter their station in life.
Jack was always active and at different stages of his life was either downhill or cross-country skiing, long-distant running, bicycling, roller blading, snowshoeing, using his archery bow, skeet shooting, or out deer hunting at the “7-UP Club”. He was a hardcore Michigan football fan. Go Blue!
Wanting to better the lives of others, Jack spent his early career in research. This included a National Institute of Health fellowship to work in Uruguay, where he was part of the team developing the fetal monitor. This research continues to be used as a basis to this day. Jack and Patricia were partners not only in life, but also in their private medical practice. Patricia was one of Michigan’s first maternal child health nurse specialists. He was ahead of his time and an advocate of comprehensive women’s reproductive health care. Jack was an early pioneer in clinic surgery techniques to address fertility problems. He respected a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body and to participate actively in their own health care decisions. Professionally, Jack was happiest in providing extraordinary care to his patients and improving their overall wellbeing. Reputed to have delivered 8,000 babies; one of his patients recalled, “…as soon as he walked through the labor and deliver door it was instant comfort…”. True to his nature, Jack’s legacy lives on through his and Patricia’s generous endowments in support of women’s reproductive health care and to the University of Michigan’s medical and nursing schools.
An excellent student, while at U of M, Jack was President of Alpha Tau Omega and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. As a community leader and committed to service, Jack was a Deacon at Arbor Grove Congregational Church in Jackson, Michigan, a member of the Foote Hospital Board of Directors, as well as the Michigan Medical Society. Jack was also Medical Director of the Michigan Planned Parenthood Clinic – Kalamazoo. Always an innovator in the use of technology in the medical office, Jack was a founding partner of Jackson Computer Services. Inc.
Jack strived to be the best human being, and he was. Exemplified and predicted in the words of his late father, Walter G. Krapohl (poem he wrote in 1923) “My influence upon my sons has wrought – that they are model’s men have sought.” And this ethos continues to influence his children and grandchildren.
Jack is survived by the love of his life, wife, Patricia; children, Tracy (Douglas) Short of Burlington, Walter P. Krapohl of Rochester, Minnesota, Kaye Krapohl of Traverse City, Michigan and Kelly Krapohl of Jackson, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Greta Krapohl of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Beloved “Papa” to grandchildren, Lindsay (Denny) Schroeder of Hudson, Ryan (Megan) Short of Mesa, Arizona, Hayley (Taylor) Warden of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Grace Krapohl of Washington, D.C.; and great-grandchildren, James and Tate Schroeder. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren Krapohl; sister, Judith Gibson and son, Graydon Krapohl.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Aurora Hospice at Home, current primary care team of Dr. Jolanta Twardy, Kristin Ruf, Senior Resources Coordinator, and former primary care team of Dr. David Taylor (retired), the Rev. John and Catherine Doud, and the support of many other friends and extended family.
Per Jack’s wishes there will be a private family memorial in the future. In lieu of flowers or memorial tree, please consider contributing, in Dr. Andrew J. Krapohl’s memory and name, to the Planned Parenthood of Michigan at www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-michigan.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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