Heinrich Uwe Rodewald's Obituary
Rodewald, M.D., Heinrich U. , 80, died April 21, 2012
Hein was born December 1931 in Flensburg, Germany and grew up sailing in his family's schooner on the Baltic Sea. He graduated from the University of Gottingen and completed medical school at Hamburg University.
He came to the United States in 1958 to serve a rotating internship at Muhlenburg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey and then moved to the Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital in Michigan. Michigan proved to be colder than he liked, so he headed south to Pensacola, where he joined the Pensacola Yacht Club and sailed happily while interning. He wanted to remain in the USA but found the immigration laws required the he return to Germany and apply for an immigrant visa. While in Germany he was a contract physician at USAF base Spangdahlem, caring for dependents of Air Force personnel. Admitted as an immigrant, he came to Tampa General Hospital in 1965 to enter a surgical residency (where he met his future wife). Hein served four and half years, culminating in becoming Chief Surgical Resident and then worked at the St. Joseph's Hospital emergency room. He then entered private practice, specializing in general surgery and peripheral vascular surgery. Hein was a member of Hillsborough County Medical Society, Florida Medical Society, American Medical Association and the Florida College of Surgeons.
Hein became a member of the Davis Island Yacht Club (DIYC) in 1972 and was elected Commodore in 1981. A skilled woodworker, Hein was introduced to wood carving by his friend Joe Linton. Among the cherished traditions of the DIYC are the half models of the Commodore's sailboats presented by the carving group at the end of their term. He is survived by his wife of 43 years JoAnn Bryant Rodewald, children Karen Rodewald, Deborah Scott (Robert Koenig), Michael Scott (Diane), and grandchildren, Samantha, Danielle, Connor Scott and Veronica Koenig. Sister-in-law Ingrid Rodewald of Fleinsburg, Germany and several nieces & nephews in Germany, Sweden & Australia.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Davis Island Yacht Club 1315 Severn Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606 on May 22, 2012 from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Judeo Christian Health Clinic, Inc., 4118 N. MacDill Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33607.
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