Submitted by: Dan Rich

Dr. Mufit H. Kesim, FAAP

Feb. 14, 1923 - Jan. 22, 2002

South Bend Tribune 1/25/2002

Dr. Kesim, 78, was born in Varna, Bulgaria. He received his medical training in Turkey at Istanbul University in 1948 and served in the Turkish Navy where he was on the rowing team. He came to this country to assist his brother for heart surgery and remained here. His medical career spanned over 50 years: Children's Memorial Hospital - Montreal, Canada, 1951; Kentucky State Hospital, Louisville, Ky. - 1952; intern and residency - Missouri Baptist Hospital - 1952- 1953; New York City Hospital - New York, N.Y., 1953- 1954; Columbia Hospital of Richland County - Columbia, S.C., 1954- 1956; Babies Hospital - Wilmington, N.C., 1956- 1958; Cambridge, Md., 1958- 1960; became a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Sept. 30, 1959; general practice in Elkhart, Ind., 1960- 1989; part-time physician for the Elkhart County Health Department and for Bristol Street Pediatrics; and he served as the physician for the local cystic fibrosis chapter for many years.

He was married for 22 years to Eleanor Kesim, mayor of Elkhart, and is survived by his daughter, Suzan Kesim.

Services at 10 a.m. today, Jan. 25, in the Islamic Society of Michiana, 3310 Hepler, South Bend, Ind.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 25, in the Bubb Funeral Home, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. No flowers please. Donations are appreciated to "Hospice Center for Palliative Care," 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.