Submitted by: John C. Monk

 

Stephen R. Phelps

Dec. 29, 1921 - Jan. 16, 2010
MISHAWAKA - Stephen Rowles Phelps, M.D., 88, of Mishawaka, IN, died at 8:20 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's following an illness. Dr. Phelps was born December 29, 1921, in Topeka, KS, to the late Barton Palmer and Bertha (Rowles) Phelps, and had lived in the area since 1952. On December 2, 1961, in South Bend, he married Mary Janet Anderson, who preceded him in death July 1, 1985. He is survived by his children, Ann Morton Phelps Ortel (Douglas) of Frederick, MD, and Stephen A. Phelps (Mary Beth) of Winnetka, IL; five grandchildren, Elizabeth and Katherine Phelps, Christopher, Sarah and new grandson, Stephen Ortel; his brother, Hon. J. Barton Phelps (Jeanette) of Menlo Park, CA; and his loving companion, Mary Ann Rayl of South Bend. Dr. Phelps graduated from the University of Kansas in 1944 and received his medical degree from the university in 1946. He served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force from 1946 to 1949. He served his dermatology residency from 1949 to 1952 at Indiana University and practiced dermatology in South Bend from 1952 until his retirement in 2006. He was on the staff at both Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center until his retirement. He was a member of American Medical Associates, Indiana State Medical Associates, St. Joseph County Medical Society, serving six years on the board of directors, American Academy of Dermatology, American Board of Dermatology, Chicago Dermatology Society, and Indiana State Dermatology Society where he served as president, board of directors and nominating committee. In 2002 he was honored with the Hackney Norris Award given to the dermatologist who contributes extraordinarily to the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Dermatology and to the Indiana dermatologic community in general. He served six years as secretary-treasurer of the South Bend Medical Foundation. Dr. Phelps was a member of the South Bend Model City Program board of directors and chairman of the education committee for six years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Stanley Clark School and chairman of the future planner committee, and was a member of the South Bend Rotary Club for many years. He was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he served on the board of Deacons, board of Trustees, and was chairman of the building committee. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23rd, in the First Presbyterian Church, 333 W. Colfax Ave., with Rev. Robert Agnew officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 22nd, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to First Presbyterian Church, 333 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46601. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com
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Published in South Bend Tribune from January 17 to January 18, 2010