Dr. Jack M. Kamen

Dr. Jack M. Kamen, 96, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on January 20, 2022.  He was born on February 17, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1943, he joined the Navy, where he trained to become a radar equipment specialist. After military service, he attended Chicago Medical School on the G.I. Bill.

In 1951, Jack began his career as a general practitioner in East Chicago, Indiana. In the early 1960s, after completing fellowship in anesthesiology, he began what he always described as the work he was “meant to do.” He went to work for the St. Mary Mercy hospital system in Gary, Indiana where he opened the state’s first intensive care unit, and the hospital’s first coronary care unit.

He was an assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, where he was on-staff as an anesthesiologist. In the early 1970s, Dr. Kamen (along with researcher Dr. Nancy Wilkinson) developed the first foam-cuff intubation tube which revolutionized anesthesia worldwide.

Jack was a member of Congregation B’nai Torah and Congregation Sharey Tefila in Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley D. Kamen; and his daughter, Suzanne Friedman (Howard).

He is survived by his children, Joyce Kamen (Fred Wagshul), David Kamen (Lisa), and Daniel Kamen (Sharon); grandchildren, Ari Wise (Jessica), Bryan Micon (Martha), Alissa Wise (Stefan Lynch), Jennifer Einberger (Scott), Jeffrey Kamen, Gary Kamen (Bridget), Hillary Ramaswamy (Raja), Kevin Kamen, Jamie Baroff (Ben), Eric Kamen, Allie Kamen, and Sara Kamen; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to Congregation Shaarey Tefilah at Shaareytefilla.org ; or to the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (formerly Chicago Medical School, Dr. Kamen’s alma mater) at rosalindfranklin.edu .

A private graveside funeral will be held.