02/01/2016    Paul Kessleman, DPM

The passing of David Kibrit, DPM

I recently learned of the passing of my dear
friend and classmate David Kibrit. As anyone who
knew him from ICPM ’81, Dave was a red headed
freckled humble easy going guy who was incredibly
helpful to this New Yorker suddenly transplanted
to Chicago and its northern suburbs in the fall
of 1977. He was my personal tour guide and made
sure that I (and later my wife) were never alone
during any holiday. We were often guests of his
family and his large number of friends. He made
sure we never felt homesick.

His choice of those who professionally mentored
him was not surprising. I did an externship with
him at Larry Rubin’s office in Morton Grove (now
of Las Vegas) today remembered our time in his
office as a fun learning experience and never
competitive.

When I was injured in an accident, Dave
personally accompanied me to a local hospital,
where he made sure I was fast tracked in the ER
where his brother was doing an ER rotation.
Over the years, Dave eventually came to mentor
many other podiatry students in his ever growing
role at Rosalind Franklin University. It came as
no surprise to me that Dave eventually left
private practice so he could devote his full time
energies to mentoring students.

Just two weeks ago I had a one and a half hour
conversation with Dave who was offering me advice
to give to a colleague on podiatry school
admission. The advice he offered was
comprehensive, sympathetic and compassionate. It
was obvious that the Dave of today was the same
Dave I met almost 40 years ago. He remained
dedicated to his close friends and family while
always trying to lend a hand to other faculty,
colleagues and students.

While all who knew him are at a loss for his
sudden passing, we should be all comforted by
having known him. God speed Dave and Rest in
Peace.

Dave’s family has asked that their privacy during
this time of mourning be honored and be
restricted to his close family. Donations in his
honor can be sent to the ASPCA, Chicago Anti
Cruelty Society or American Cancer Society.

Paul Kessleman, DPM, Woodside, NY

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