[Intl_DxMedPhys] Passing Jack Comer Cleveland Clinic Medical Physics Section (retired)

[William Davros]

Dear List,
It is with a heavy heart that I wish to share the passing of a friend and
retired member of the section I founded at Cleveland Clinic; Jack Comer.

Jack joined the group about 21 years ago having previously worked in the
Clinical engineering section, diagnostic radiology subsection . Jack joined
my group  as a way to ensure all service tickets generated by the physics
group were closed within 21 days so we could meet the Ohio regs limit of 30
days.

Jack was a natural at this type of assignment. He started life in NJ, sent
to Valley Forge Military Academy as a youth and joined the Airforce out of
high school. His first post was to a rapid response fighter jet squadron
during the middle years of the Vietnam war.  Jack was shipped off to the
Korean DMZ to work on high power radar on F4 Phantoms just in case North
Korea wanted to retake South Korea while we were tied up in Viet Nam.

Upon coming home Jack found his way into x-ray service and repair along the
Eastern seaboard of the US working for Siemens Medical. He rose through the
ranks and eventually had the largest service area by population in the USA;
it stretched from Boston to Baltamoe and from the Coast all the way to
Appalachian mountains. He made a name for himself as trustworthy, fair and
efficient.

Jack came to Cleveland as part of a complicated trade and purchase between
Picker Internations. Siemens Medical Systems and Philips Medical Systems.
When the dust settled Picker was gone Philips was wounded, Siemens was
stronger and Jack was out of work.

Jack found his way to Cleveland Clinic where he was instantly welcomed and
put to work with our neally 100% Siemens imaging base and 100% Philips
cardiac cath base.

Over the years I leaned on Jack to get service tickets resolved fast and
work done right the first time. The radiology chair at the time Mike Modic,
MD recognised that in Jack, Cleveland Clinic has a diamond and permitted me
to take him into medical physics.

Jack was always there when I needed him. He was older than me by 16 years
and this was important because I needed his wisdom. Jack
understood "chain-of command" from his military days. I came from an
academic background at Georgetown U. Jack fit in. Cleveland Clinic was in
many ways the Air Force in long white jackets not an ivory tower.

After Jack and I retired from Cleveland Clinic we decided to go into
business together. I joined a local xray consulting group where physicists
prepared and completed their own reports. Those who know me know that this
was not a strong suit with me. They wanted me and I wanted to work so I
asked them if I could hire an administrator. At first they said "no" then
"yes" the "can we use him too" !. Together we and I formed PHOTONS Medical
Physics LLC and had the time of our lives for the next 10 year. We focused
on cone beam dental and traveled to every little cow town in Northern Ohio.
We happily tested  these simple little devices, driving, chatting, going
out for lunch and a beer after each gig was done. Then at the beginning of
the year my sight started to go south and Jack had turned 83. The world was
sending me a message it was time to take the win and move on.

I was with Jack's wife and adult daughter together with my wife when Jack
decided that the fight was over. This was 8 hours ago. When Jack passed
from this world into the next he was in a place that he loved to work; a
Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Jack was taken from the facility on a draped
gurney with full military honors. Civilians lined the halls on each side
hand over hearts, veterans and active military men and women  stood sharp
and hand saluted as he passed.

Jack was my friend and then some and I will miss him dearly.

Until we meet again dear friend, go in peace Jack.

Bill Davros
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