Wikipedia

Fred Chasan

Fred Chasan (April 4, 1924 – June 20, 2005) was an American medical doctor from Los Angeles, California and veteran of World War II.[1][2][3]

Fred Chasan
Born(1924-04-04)April 4, 1924
New York City, New York, US
DiedJune 20, 2005(2005-06-20) (aged 81)
San Diego, California, US
EducationNew York University (B.A.)
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine (M.D.)
OccupationPhysician
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1954; died 2023)​
Children3, including Mark Chasan
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchU.S. Army, U.S. Navy
Years enlisted1942-1946
RankStaff Sergeant, Medical Officer
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsWWII Victory, EAMTO, ATO, Good Conduct

Early life and education edit

 
S.Sgt. Chasan in WWII (c.1942)

Chasan was born April 4, 1924, in New York City to Morris and Pauline (née Philips) Chasan.[4]

In 1942, Chasan graduated from the Bronx High School of Science[5] and enrolled in the College of the City of New York majoring in biology for a Bachelor of Science degree. In parallel, he was a medical researcher at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.[6]

After serving as a medic in the United States Army during World War II,[7] Chasan resumed his university studies on the G.I. Bill at New York University,[8] graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry. He then pursued a Master of Arts from NYU's School of Education.[9] In 1962, Chasan received a medical degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.[10] In 1974, he was awarded a fellowship degree by the American Academy of Family Physicians.[11]

Career edit

In the early 1960s, Chasan's wife Roslyn proposed becoming a lawyer, to which Chasan is said to have remarked, "You helped me through medical school – now I will help you [through law school]."[12]

By 1968 Chasan had become the chief of staff at the Memorial Hospital of Gardena,[13] and was named medical director by 1977.[14] During his time in private practice, Chasan worked with Epsilon Sigma Alpha[15] to administer thousands of polio vaccines.[16]

After retiring from private medical practice, Chasan rejoined the United States Military as a medical officer in the Navy working as a physician at Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park.[17]

Personal life edit

In 1952,[12] Chasan was set up on a blind date with his future wife Roslyn and the couple married in January 1954.[18] The couple had three sons in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including Mark.[19] Early in their marriage, Roslyn worked as a nurse in Chasan's medical practice.[20][failed verification]

House collapse edit

 
The Chasan Villa circa 1982

In the late 1970s, Chasan and his wife Roslyn built a large Mediterranean-style house on Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates, California.[21] However, by the early 1980s, a deteriorating city-owned storm drain system, compounded by a broken water main from the California Water Service Company, led to a landslide.[22] The family was forced to evacuate the house in 1981. By 1983, the house had either collapsed into the sea or been demolished.[23] A jury determined the city had failed in its responsibility to maintain the storm drain system, resulting in a settlement with the Chasan family.[22][24][25]

Later years and death edit

 
Chasan with his grandson, Jake (c. 2000)

In the aftermath of the collapse of the house, Chasan and Roslyn moved to Manhattan Beach, California, away from the Los Angeles peninsula.[23]

Chasan died on June 20, 2005, and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in California.[26]

References edit

  1. ^ Report of Separation with Honorable Discharge. World War II, United States Army. 1946-01-04. pp. 1-2.
  2. ^ "Alcoholism Workshop to Put Emphasis on Women". Los Angeles Times. 20 November 1977.
  3. ^ California Physician. 1984. p. 26.
  4. ^ State of New York Certificate and Record of Birth. The City of New York, Department of Health. Registered No. 14559. April 1924.
  5. ^ Glushak, Sol P. (May 1943). ""Electron" Observatory Yearbook". Bronx High School of Science. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  6. ^ "Photo of Fred Chasan Enlistment papers WWII". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  7. ^ Honorable Discharge of Fred Chasan. World War II, United States Army. 1946-01-2. pp. 1.
  8. ^ Baker, Suzanne; Libow, Sanford (May 1949). "NYU Class of 1949, NYU Washington Square College - Album Yearbook". New York University. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  9. ^ Student Records. Graduation Services, Office of the Registrar. New York University. 1949-06-15. Provided 2023-03-14.
  10. ^ "DCA - Search Details". MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA. 1975-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  11. ^ "Awards of Fellowship from the American Academy of Family Physicians". The Redondo Reflex. 1974-12-04. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  12. ^ a b Evelyn, Smith (1968-10-12). "Attorney Chasan: 'Women Have Great Potential'". Palos Verdes Peninsula News. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  13. ^ "Certificate: Surgical Staff of Memorial Hospital of Gardena". Southwestern Sun. 1968-05-09. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  14. ^ "Alcoholism Workshop to Put Emphasis on Women". The Los Angeles Times. 1977-11-20. p. 611. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  15. ^ "1,450 Polio Shots Given At Clinic" (PDF). Torrance Herald. 1959-03-08. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  16. ^ "Big Turnout Proves Success of Recent Torrance Polio Clinic at Plunge" (PDF). Torrance Press. 1959-01-29. p. 20.
  17. ^ "Fred Chasan, USA & USN". Mt Soledad Memorial. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  18. ^ Certificate of Marriage, Fred Chasan and Roslyn Pearl Lefkowitz, County of Los Angeles. 1954-01-03.
  19. ^ "Haute to Trot, Opening Day". Rancho Santa Fe Review. 2013-07-18. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  20. ^ "Roz Chasan, Delphian Society Charter President". The Los Angeles Times. 1958-09-07. p. 165. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  21. ^ "Justice For All". The Daily Breeze. 1982-11-07. pp. 41–42. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  22. ^ a b "Palos Verdes Estates bluffs are a nightmare". The Redondo Reflex. 1983-02-23. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  23. ^ a b La Jeunesse, Anne. "Chasan Settlement is Largest in Palos Verdes Estates". Palos Verdes Peninsula News and Rolling Hills Herald (Print). Vol. XLVIV No. 16. 1986-02-22. pp. 1, 5.
  24. ^ "Those scenic Palos Verdes Estates bluffs are a nightmare to city officials". News-Pilot. 1983-02-21. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  25. ^ "Owners to get $1.28 million for lost home". News-Pilot. 1982-11-26. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  26. ^ "Roslyn Chasan Obituary (1932 - 2023) - San Diego, CA - Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fred_Chasan&oldid=1217266992"