Memorial Service: 10:00 am, Saturday, October 5th, 2013, Sommer Center of Concordia College in Bronxville, NY
Chester (Chet) Monroe Edelmann Jr. MD, 82, born in NY Dec 26, 1930 died on September, 19, 2013, after a courageous four year battle with cancer, Chester passed away peacefully at home with his family in attendance. Chet was an exceptional Father, renowned Physician, Research Scientist, and, most of all, Husband. During his 57 year tenure at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM,) he held many prestigious positions, including Senior Associate Dean and Most Distinguished University Professor of Pediatrics. In addition, he was the former Director of the International Study for Kidney Disease in Children, a recipient of the “Best Doctors in the United States award” in the discipline of Pediatric Nephrology, the former Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the AECOM, former Director of the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, member of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association, Honorary member of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Nephrology, and member of the American Society of Nephrology.Chet was the recipient of innumerable scientific awards, most notably: the National Institutes of Health Research Career Development Award; the E. Mead Johnson award for Research in Pediatrics; the Technical Scientific and Medical Award for research in the field of Medicine from the Association of American Publishers for his textbook, Pediatric Kidney Disease; The Founders Award given by the American Society of Nephrology, and Distinguished Alumni Award from Concordia College, to name just a few.Chet’s academic contributions included serving on many academic and educational boards, such as: the New York State Council on Graduate Medical Education; and the Executive Committee of the American Heart Association Council on Kidney and Cardiovascular Disease. He also served on the editorial boards of several major peer-reviewed medical journals including: Kidney International, The Journal of Renal Physiology, The Kidney, and Pediatrics. He served as Chairman of the National Institutes of Health, study section of General Medicine, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation and as President of the American Association of Pediatric Nephrology. He was also a major contributor for seven named lecture series, 56 original communications in reviewed journals, author and/or editor of 106 books, chapters in books and review articles including the Definitive Textbook on Pediatric Nephrology, and Pediatric Kidney Disease. He authored 43 scientific abstracts and was a member of 25 national and international medical societies. Chet served as an Attending physician at Albert Einstein College Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, and Montefiore Medical Center, where he cared for children with kidney disease and trained future Pediatric Nephrologists from around the world. Chet’s journey to becoming a world-renowned physician and scientist began at Concordia Preparatory School (the precursor to Concordia College,) he then received his BA from Columbia University in 1951and received his MD degree from Cornell University. His training continued as an Intern in Pediatrics at NY Hospital and as a resident in Pediatrics at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, where he was asked to serve as Chief Resident in Pediatrics, an academic honor. He then completed his post-doctoral fellowship at AECOM in Pediatric Nephrology. Chet fulfilled his duty to his country by serving in the United States Navy and in the US Naval Reserve from 1959-1963 when he was discharged at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.Chet is survived by his adoring wife of 60 years, Norma, three loving children: John, Christopher, and Kathy and his granddaughter, Jessica, he is also survived by his sister, Maida Heitner, and her family. He is the son of the late Nannette Lenore Edelmann and Chester Monroe Edelmann, Sr. Chet was a true Renaissance man; a lover of languages and their usage: a concert level pianist; a faithful patron of opera, the theatre and the philharmonic. He created fine furniture, was a loyal Mets fan, and enjoyed simple beauty. He was devoted to his wife and family, his patients, his church, science, his community and his country. He believed in excellence, honesty, integrity and above all, compassion. Chet was a rare man, contemplative, yet effective, who quietly found success in the improved health of his patients, in the happiness of his children and in the achievement of his students and colleagues. Chet touched the lives of countless people in many countries worldwide and will be missed by all, but primarily by his wife and children. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, all donations be sent to the following charities: Concordia College, Greenwich Hospital Oncology Unit, and the Sierra Club.
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