Obituary of Frank Zeller

WINTER HAVEN - Frank Zeller, Jr., MD of Winter Haven, FL passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at the Good Shepherd Hospice Forsythe Center in Auburndale from kidney failure. He was 88. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated Indiana University High School in 1942, Indiana University Chemistry with a B.S in 1945; Indiana University M.D. in 1949; did his Surgical Residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan from 1949-1954, served 18 months as Chief Resident for Dr. Emerick Szilagy, peripheral vascular surgeon, following participation with surgeon Dr. Courad Lam, thoracic surgeon, in first attempt at abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy in the United States. Admitted as Fellow in American College of Surgery in 1961. Dr. Zeller served in the US Air Force as Captain from 1954-56, C.O. 8th Tactical Hospital, Korea; C.O. 6160Air Force Hospital, Itazuk AFB, Kyushu, Japan. In 1955, represented U.S. Air Force Medical Service at the first SEATONation Conference, Baggio, Philippines with his presentation, "Current Status of Peripheral Vascular Surgery." In 1955, he passed written exam for Board Diplomat. 1956-1990 Dr. Zeller did private practice of General Surgery in Polk County, Florida. He was a Past Member of Medical Staff of Winter Haven Hospital, Past president of Medical Staff & Past Chairman of Department of Surgery; Past Member of Medical Staff of Lake Wales Hospital, Past President of Medical Staff & Past Chairman of Department of Surgery; Past Member of Medical Staff at Walker Memorial Hospital, Avon Park; Heart of Florida Hospital, Haines City; Morrow Memorial Hospital, Auburndale. From 1992 - 2001 he was Medical Director of Lake Wales Medical Centers, Lake Wales, Florida. Dr. Zeller was a member of the following organizations: Acacia Fraternity and Phi Chi Medical Fraternities; Admitted as a Fellow of American College of Surgeons, October1961, presently Life Member; Life Member and Past President of Polk County Medical Society; Life Member and previously delegate of Florida Medical Society; Life Member of American Medical Society; Member Roy D. McClure Surgical Society; Member Henry Ford Hospital Medical Society; Previous Member Detroit Surgical Society; Previous Member Florida Society of Oncology; Present active membership in Florida Bioethics Network, Florida Society of Hospital Physician Executives; Rotary International; Past President of Polk Chapter of American Cancer Society; the Florida Club; Lake Region Country Club; Elks Club; Theatre Winter Haven Lifetime Angel; Board of Directors, First Florida Bank, and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. He was a 12 year Captain of his own 38 foot Sport Fisherman, and he traveled extensively visiting all 7 continents and seeing over 75 countries. Dr. Zeller was predeceased by his sons, Frank Zeller, III, and Thane Richard Zeller. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Shirley Johnson Zeller; his daughter, Cynthia Zeller Booth and her husband, John, his sister, Wanda Zeller Clegg and his grandchildren, Amy Booth Ballman, Michael Zeller, Frank Benjamin Zeller, and Jonathan Booth. Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, July21, 2012 at Hope Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hope Presbyterian Church, "Troop 565" of Hope Presbyterian Church or to Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale. Condolences to the family can be sent to: http://www.oakridgefuneralcare.com/.