Carl W. Groppe, Jr., MD

Carl was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to Dr. Carl W. and Mary Alice Groppe. He attended Triadelphia High School, where he met Mary Jo. They remained close while he attended Bethany College, where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science. He went on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and graduated in 1960.  He was an honorary member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society and Nu Sigma Nu Social Fraternity.

Carl did his internship at the Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  Carl stayed at Jefferson for his residency and became the Head of Section for Clinical Oncology and Cytogenetics. He was appointed the Chief Medical Resident at Jefferson in 1964.

In 1965, Carl and the family moved to Kansas, where he became the Chief of Medicine at The US Public Health Service at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary.  In 1967 another move took him to Chicago, where he was an Associate in Medicine at Northwestern University as well as Chief of the Oncology service at Cook County Hospital. In 1970, Carl took over as acting director of the Department of Hematology at Cook County.

In 1970, Carl moved to Cleveland and joined the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. In 1983, he moved over to St Luke’s Hospital, where he was appointed Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology.   In 1999 he returned to The Cleveland Clinic as a member of the Community Oncology Group Practice, until his retirement in 2003.

Carl belonged to many professional societies (American Cancer Society, Academy of Medicine), and served as an officer or board member of most of the groups.

Carl was more than an accomplished physician. He was a lifelong gardener and he was especially proud of his annual tomato crop.  He and Mary Jo enjoyed many of the cultural opportunities in the area, making annual visits to the Shaw Festival, as well as holding season tickets to the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Playhouse for several decades.

He was an avid bicyclist and rode to work at the Cleveland Clinic regularly.  After he retired, he kept up the fitness regimen at the Cleveland Skating Club and Tai Chi classes!

Mary Jo and Carl were able to travel all over the world.   They visited Israel, Greece, Hong Kong and Taiwan, among other places.   He ventured out west to Alaska and Oregon, and over the decades, drove throughout New England visiting his children and grandchildren.  Carl didn’t slow down when they sold their home of 49 years in Shaker Heights.  He happily took advantage of all the activities, lectures and musical performances in their new home at Judson Manor.

Carl and Mary Jo’s long time spiritual home was Christ Episcopal Church of Shaker Heights, where his services will be held.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife,  Mary Jo (nee McKee) of Cleveland, OH; the dear father of Carl W. Groppe, III (Julie) of Gaysville, VT; Elizabeth G. Litten (Brett Couvillon) of Moorestown, NJ; Alison M. Groppe (Eliot Rogers) of Eugene, OR and Deborah G. Davis (Simon) of Southborough, MA; dear grandfather of Marilyn Groppe; Carl W. Groppe, IV; Paige and Graham Litten and Josephine Davis; dear brother of Barbara Maroscher (Rudy).

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to The Cleveland Animal Protective League, 1729 Willey Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113, The Judson Foundation, 1890 E. 107th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 or Christ Episcopal Church, 3445 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Hts., OH 44122 where Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 16th at 3 PM, and can be viewed live-streamed via a link on his web page at www.brown-forward.com. There will be a reception following the service, from 4:30-6:30 pm at Judson Manor, 1890 E. 107th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106.