Louisville School of Medicine in 1974 , followed by board certifications in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases . He trained in cardiovascular nuclear medicine at Yale University and became a founding member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology in 1993 . He was a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association . Following 15 years of private practice in cardiovascular medicine , during which he served as the Chief of Internal Medicine and the Chairman of the Department of Cardiology of Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital , he embarked on a career in medical organizational leadership , serving as Medical Director for the United States Postal Service , National Health Services , HealthQuest and United Healthcare . He was a lifetime member of the Greater Louisville Medical Society and the Kentucky Medical Association .
As a father , he was a loving , gentle and deeply intelligent guide , mentor and leader – quite private , and never a domineering or ego-driven presence . He supported and honored our passions , even when they did not necessarily align with his own . He celebrated us when we achieved , and picked us up when we were down .
I ’ m most grateful to my father for his companionship to my mother , Dr . Clara P . Comer , who I must take a moment to acknowledge as the most loving , dedicated , giving and supportive mother a child – and now , a grown man – could ever hope for . Mom , you and Dad have taught me what family truly means , and modeled out the values that my wife , Rachel , and I strive to impart to our own sons .
My father married my mother at Church of the Holy Spirit in 1972 , and the two regularly attended services there for over 50 years . Fittingly , my father was formally welcomed into the Catholic Church at Holy Spirit by Father Klotter , on December 3rd – just three weeks before his death early on Christmas morning . My mother and I were by his side , and take comfort in the peacefulness of his passing , as well as the timing . Timing has always been a bit uncanny in our family . My father was born on his mother ’ s birthday ; and my mother was born on her mother ’ s birthday . My sister was born on my sixth birthday . My grandfather on my mother ’ s side was born four days before Christmas ; my grandfather on my father ’ s side four days after . And it ’ s as if my father was waiting for Christmas to come – so that he could let go , at the spiritually ordained time , and release himself within it .
It all leads me back to Thomas Merton , who writes , “ It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life . For the beginning of humility is the beginning of blessedness and the consummation of humility is the perfection of all joy . Humility contains in itself the answer to all the great problems of the life of the soul . It is the only key to faith , with which the spiritual life begins : for faith and humility are inseparable . In perfect humility all selfishness disappears and your soul no longer lives for itself or in itself for God : and it is lost and submerged in Him and transformed into Him .”
I believe that my father has now attained what he always wanted , what Merton calls “ perfect humility ,” and that he is now at rest , having entered into eternal life with God .
Dad : We love you dearly , and always . Thank you for all you have taught us , and for continuing to be by our side , and wisely counseling us , as we persist on our own respective journeys of life . May we spread the beauty you brought into the world , give the love that you gave and endure with the generosity and grace of your undying spirit .
-William Andrew Comer
Dr . Comer was a GLMS member for 44 years .
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