Zigfrids Zadvinskis MD

Zigfrids Zadvinskis, M.D., 95, of Grand Rapids, died on Saturday June 15, 2019 at Faith Hospice, of multiple myeloma. Preceded in death by his parents, Scholastika Slachtovic Zadvinskis and Peter Zadvinskis, and brothers Romans Zadvinskis and Peter Daugavietis, he is survived by his wife of 70 years, Pauline Dzenis Zadvinskis, sons John Zadvinskis, Edmund Zadvinskis, Peter (Linda) Zadvinskis, M.D., all of Grand Rapids, and David (Inga) Zadvinskis, M.D., of Dublin, Ohio, sister Nina Masilune of Riga, Latvia, and granddaughters Madeline and Bonnie Zadvinskis of Grand Rapids. Born in Rezekne, Latvia, on January 5, 1924, Zigfrids’s wish was to study medicine; however, Latvia was at that time occupied by Germany so his studies required postponement. During the summer of 1944, Soviet forces advanced into Latvia so his family fled to Kurzeme rather than live under Soviet rule. After WWII ended, the family ended up in Fischbach, a displaced persons (DP) camp near Nuremberg. In the spring of 1946, he began studying medicine at Baltic University Hamburg, later transferring to the University of Wurzburg. In Fischbach, Zigfrids met his future wife, Pauline Dzenis, where they were married on June 5, 1949. At that time, the International Refugee Organization began closing DP camps, so Zigfrids and Pauline decided to emigrate to the United States where he could complete his medical studies. They arrived May 26, 1950, in Grand Haven, where both of them worked in local factories to enable Zigfrids to finish medical school. Medical schools in the U.S. wouldn’t accept credits from his earlier studies, so he returned to Germany in 1954 to complete his studies at Medical School Wurzburg in 1956, while Pauline and their two young sons stayed in Grand Haven with Pauline’s parents who emigrated from Germany. After fulfilling his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at Blodgett Memorial Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Zigfrids practiced Internal Medicine in Grand Rapids until his retirement in 1995. He was on staff at Blodgett Memorial, St. Mary’s and Mary Free Bed hospitals, and a physician of the Blodgett Hospital School of Nursing for 25 years. Actively involved in teaching interns and residents, he was appointed Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University in 1976. In recognition of his teaching involvement, Zigfrids was awarded the Lifetime Teaching Award in 1991 by Blodgett and St. Mary’s hospitals and Michigan State University. Zigfrids was a member of the Kent County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, American Medical Association, American Society of Internal Medicine and American College of Physicians. Active in the Latvian community of West Michigan and the Our Lady of Aglona Parish in Grand Rapids, Zigfrids served on the boards of the Grand Rapids Latvian Association and the American Latvian Catholic Association and for many years volunteered with the International Aid Organization in Spring Lake that sent shipments of medical supplies to hospitals in Latvia. For his leadership in organizing a yearly fund raising drive for the Occupation Museum in Riga, Latvia, he was awarded The Three Star Medal by the Latvian government in 2001. For years, Zigfrids and Pauline enjoyed downhill skiing and traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe, including many trips to Latvia. While Zigfrids remained very much connected to his native country, he was deeply grateful to be a citizen of the United States. He and Pauline, an accomplished painter, were consummate and ever cheerful host and hostess with room at the table for one more, whether family, friends, or strangers. They knew from firsthand experience that freedom isn’t free, and that to whom much is given, much is expected in return. Giving back to help others was what defined Zigfrids Zadvinskis’s long, productive and ever vigorous life. He was sustained by his Christian faith and his love of life, family, friends, freedom and community. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 AM at SS Peter and Paul Church where he will repose at 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Arsulowicz Brothers East Mortuary, 937 Michigan St. NE where the Rosary will be prayed Friday at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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Zigfrids Zadvinskis MD

January 5, 1924 - June 15, 2019