Re: [EXTERNAL] [OANDP-L] Ronald F. Altman

Re: [EXTERNAL] [OANDP-L] Ronald F. Altman

Karl Entenmann

12/15/2020

I didn’t know Ron personally, but as another of the old guys (UW ‘81), it’s sad to hear of the old guard passing or even just retiring (me). So much knowledge is lost as the old guys retire. I recently made some changes to a bail lock on a metal kafo and my young tech asked if I had previously been a technician. My answer was that we all were techs when we started 40 years ago. We built and modified our own devices. Off the shelf was a new idea that I first ran into at Orthomedics in the early ‘80s. My first old guys were Barney Simons at UW and Roy Snelson, Sam Hammontree, Warren Miller and Frank Moos at Orthomedics. If Miller and Moos sound familiar, think Milmo. Their invention, and we all use them. These guys were great teachers and people I looked up to and learned from as I was maturing in our profession. As I dabble towards retirement, I wonder who the younger clinicians will remember when they become the old guys.
Karl Entenmann CPO
Gig Harbor WA
> On Dec 15, 2020, at 10:07, Mac McClellan < <Email Address Redacted> > wrote:
>
> A good friend and a kind soul. Had the pleasure of working closely with Ron during his leadership years at ABC. A staunch defender of having appropriately educated practitioners caring for the O&P patient population. A true leader by both word and example who’s influence was felt and appreciated around the world.
> My most heartfelt sympathies go out to Pam, Elizabeth, and all of Ron’s family. Even though retired, guys like him will be missed by this profession.....
> Mac McClellan
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Dec 15, 2020, at 11:36 AM, Tom Dibello < <Email Address Redacted> > wrote:
>>
>> Ron Altman was a leader and a mentor to an entire profession, nationally and internationally. His steadfast devotion to amputees and to the education of the field will not soon be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to his family.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List < <Email Address Redacted> > On Behalf Of Elizabeth Mansfield
>> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2020 10:57 AM
>> To: <Email Address Redacted>
>> Subject: [EXTERNAL] [OANDP-L] Ronald F. Altman
>>
>> CAUTION: This email originated outside of Hanger. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
>>
>> Dear O&P List,News I wish I never had to share.Elizabeth Altman Mansfield
>>
>>
>> Ronald F. Altman, 81, of Port Jefferson Station, New York,recently of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away at home on December 7, 2021 aftera valiant battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Ron was born July 28, 1939 inYonkers, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth (Viebrock) Thomasand Ernest Altman, his sister Susan (Altman) Sugarman, and his beloved AuntCatherine. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 55 years Pamela(Squires) Altman; his children, daughter, Elizabeth (Altman) Mansfield, herpartner Tom McGovern; daughter, Virginia “Ginnie” (Altman) Peterson, herhusband Gunnar Peterson; son, Frederic “Ted” Altman and his partner KodyPangburn; son, James Altman his wife Kami Altman; his grandchildren, Jenningsand Eloise Mansfield, Maya and Soren Peterson, and Zina Altman; his siblingsRuss Altman, Pat & Dick Alexandro, Marybeth & Lewis Testa; nieces andnephews, many relatives, family friends and colleagues.
>> In 1948, when he was just nine years old, he was run over bya truck in front of his family’s home in Brooklyn and lost his rightleg. This tragic event resulted in changing not just his life but thelives of amputees and P&O practitioners all over the world. In the field ofprosthetic and orthotics, Ron had earned the respect and admiration ofcolleagues world-wide as he was involved in all aspects of the field. As aPeace Corps volunteer, he built the Prosthetic & Orthotic facility at theSuva Crippled Children’s School in Suva, Fiji. He served as an examiner for theAmerican Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC), chair ofthe National Examination Committee, a member of the board of directors of ABC,president of ABC, and vice chair of NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic andProsthetic Education). In addition, he did P&O facility evaluations inMozambique, Uganda, and Vietnam as a consultant for US AID. In 2005, four yearsafter retiring from clinical practice, R
>> on received the American Academy ofOrthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) Clinical Commitment Award given to those whohave quietly demonstrated a commitment to The Code of ProfessionalResponsibility and to improving the professional image of the orthotic andprosthetic profession to patients, co-workers, and colleagues. He was unablereceive the award in person as he and Pam were living in Phnom Penh where hewas teaching at the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO.)
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>> Interment will be private. There will be a celebration ofRon’s life as soon as we are all able to gather safely. Memorial gifts may bemade to the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center ( <URL Redacted> ) or the International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO) Global Development Fund ( <URL Redacted> )
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