In Memoriam, revised
LEOPOLD "LEE" W. LIKE, MD
IMCA Member
We mourn the passing of our member Lee Like, MD, 82 of Naples.
Lee was born April 12, 1930 in New Bavaria, Ohio to L. Herman and Mary (Leopold) Like. He was reared on a farm during the Great Depression where he learned lifelong values and a strong work ethic.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Sue, his devoted children, Kim McDevitt, Lisa Stokely, Anne Nartker, Sara Woods, and eight cherished grandchildren, Meghan and Mallory McDevitt, Andrew and Allison Stokely, Elizabeth Nartker, Jack, Samantha, and Ben Woods.
He was a 1948 graduate of Holgate High School where he excelled in academics and basketball. He was a graduate of the University of Dayton where he was a member and student director of the UD band. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1952. Lee was a 1957 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Medicine, a member of Theta Kappa Phi fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Kappa Medical fraternity. On June 22, 1957, he married Sue Recker of Ottawa, Ohio. He practiced general and thoracic surgery in Lima, Ohio until his retirement in 1990.
Following retirement, he found joy in spending time with his family, fishing, traveling, electronics, computers, photography, playing the piano, and a special joy in singing with the Naples Philharmonic Chorale for several years.
During his lifetime he was a member of the Lima and Allen County Academy of Medicine, The Ohio State Medical Association, The OSU Presidents Club, Retired Physicians of Collier Co., the Forum Club of S.W Florida, the Naples Council on World Affairs, the Naples OSU Alumni Club, Quail Creek Country Club, the English Speaking Union, UD Golden Flyers, and BPO Elks. Lee was a life member of the Ohio State Alumni Association, and he was an avid Buckeye.
In 1999, he was the recipient of a kidney transplant for which he owed a dear family an enormous debt of gratitude for their generosity for it gave him 14 years to enjoy an improved lifestyle and the time to watch his eight grandchildren blossom.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Todd Pesavento and the Ohio State Transplant Center staff, Dr. Mark Russo, and the staff at Avow Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. There will be a Celebration of Life service Friday, February 22nd, 2:00pm at the United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples. There will also be a funeral Mass in Ohio at a future date at the convenience of the family.
Donations may be made in Lee's memory to the Dr. Lee Like and Sue R. Like Transplant Education Fund at the Ohio State University, the Leopold Like Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Dayton, Georgeson House at Avow Hospice of Collier County, or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.fullernaples.com.
He was the family counselor and its head and heart. He will be missed more than words can ever convey.
Directors of the International Men's Club of America
