I Jerome Flance, an emeritus clinical professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine who spearheaded the University’s development of the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, died Friday (April 2, 2010) of infirmities of age at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was 98 and lived in Creve Coeur.
Visitation is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, Creve Coeur. A funeral service will be at noon. Interment will be private.
For more information on Flance’s distinguished career and his work in medicine and community service, see stories linked below, as well as an obituary re-published with permission from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
St. Louis Post-Dispartch (April 2, 2010)
I. Jerome Flance dies; Wash. U. doctor who led redevelopment
Dr. I. Jerome Flance, a decorated physician and professor at Washington University School of Medicine who away from the hospital spearheaded the university’s development of the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, died Friday (April 2, 2010) of infirmities of age at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He was 98 and lived in Creve Coeur.
Dr. Flance directed the $180 million effort that expanded BJC from the Central West End to the south to Forest Park Southeast.
In 2003, Big Brothers Big Sisters awarded Dr. Flance its highest community service award for his work on that project. Dr. Flance brought together the university, residents and developer McCormack Baron & Associates. A highlight was the renovation and expansion of the Adams School and Community Center.
“He always had an interest in community development of the inner city,” said a son, Stephen Flance of Santa Fe, N.M. “Back in the ’50s, he and some other doctors opened a clinic in north St. Louis with support from several philanthropic sources. They ran it for several years.”
Among the honors Dr. Flance received in his tenure at Washington University were Department of Medicine teacher of the year in 1981, the medical school’s 2nd Century Award in 1994 and an honorary doctoral degree in humanities in 2002.
In addition, a visiting lectureship, a professorship of pulmonary medicine and a distinguished alumni scholarship were established in his name.
Dr. Flance was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended City College in New York, where he boxed competitively. In 1929 he moved here to attend Washington U. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1931 and a medical degree in 1935.
At some time during residencies at the city’s Tuberculosis Hospital and the Pneumonia Service at Harlem Hospital in New York City, he contracted tuberculosis. It took him a year to recover.
He later became director of pulmonary service at St. Louis City Hospitals.
Visitation is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, Creve Coeur. A funeral service will be at noon. Interment will be private.
In addition to his son, among the survivors are his wife, Rosemary; a daughter, Patty Croughan of St. Louis; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the I.J. Flance, M.D., Philanthropic Fund, c/o the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63146.