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Loss of a Member in the UM Family

By Robin Kunkel | March 24 2015

It is with sincere sadness that we mark the passing of Paul W. Gikas, MD.  He died peacefully at home on March 23.  The funeral will be March 27 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor at 11am.  Dr. Gikas was a longtime member of the UM family, doing his undergraduate, medical degrees and residency here.  After his service in the US Army Medical Corps, Paul became a faculty member in Pathology in 1959, with an interest in GU and Renal Pathology. He retired in 1994.  His contributions to the department and the University of Michigan were considerable and diverse, reflecting his many interests.   Teaching medical students and residents (even in retirement), electron microscopy (founding director of the EM diagnostic service), serving as assistant dean of medical school admissions, faculty representative to the Big Ten Conference and NCAA, automobile safety research (resulting in significant redesign of car shifting mechanisms to prevent injuries), Great Lakes sailing and fishing, running (the Detroit Free Press and Boston Marathons), biking (he always biked to work), were all passions of Paul. "Hey, Jack," he would say, as he always had time for a kind word with those lucky enough to know him.  He was generous with his time and considerable talents, helping many, many people during his tenure here.  He and his wife funded the John and Millie Gikas Travel Grant Program, which supports additional travel to professional meetings for three fellows each year.  Most of all Paul loved his family. We send our heartfelt condolences to Sue Gikas and their entire family.  

 
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