Michael Lippe

Michael Lippe passed away on April 28, 2014 after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. Alumni will remember him for his fertile mind and enormously good cheer. Mike was born in 1943 in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up in such diverse places as Cuba, Singapore, and Belgium After law school, he joined the Peace Corps, serving three years in Botswana.

Mike served for twenty years with USAID, including tours in Ivory Coast, Kenya and Tunisia. He retired in 1996 as Director of USAID’s Office of Housing and Urban Affairs.

In addition to his foreign service career, Mike also will be remembered for his thoughtful book (in collaboration with his oncologist) on his experience with cancer – Pancreatic Cancer: A Patient and His Doctor Balance Hope and Truth (See http://newgrandmas.com/14032/books-games/cancersurvivors/michael-j-lippes-story-pancreatic-cancer-book-thursday and Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Pancreatic-Cancer-Patient-Balance-Hopkins/dp/1421400626). In the book, Mike wrote about the early signs that something was wrong; his oncologist then continues with a description of pancreatic cancer, its symptoms, and its treatments. Mike then talks about his prognosis, contemplates the prospect of death, and describes how he began to cope; his oncologist explains the importance, for both doctor and patient, of balancing hope and truth. Mike speaks frankly about the toll the disease takes on his marriage and family; while his oncologist in alternating chapters offers a general picture of what most patients can expect with their illness. The book concludes with Mike’s and his oncologist’s reflections on their partnership in treating cancer, lessons they have learned, and their thoughts about the positive things that sometimes emerge from illness.

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