A Tribute to our Friend and Board Director of the Blazer Foundation, Dr. Mike Werckle
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden and unexpected passing of Dr. Mike Werckle, a great friend and Director on the Blazer Foundation Board of Directors. With grief in our hearts also comes an immense pride in remembering our dear friend. Dr. Werckle has been a part of the Blazer Foundation Board since it became a charitable Foundation in 2008 following Cedric Blazer’s death, the Founder of the Blazer Foundation and also good friend to Dr. Werckle.
Dr. Werckle had a hobby in collecting classic cars but was most well known in the community for his career as a physician in the Rockford area. While he began his career at Wayne County General Hospital, he later served at the Illinois Department of Public Health and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He then held a number of leadership roles in the Rockford community, including Medical Director of nursing homes and as President of the Medical staff at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Dr. Werckle’s current position was with the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford as Clinical Assistant Professor. He spent the last 35 years in leadership roles at the University.
He was a valued member for the Dean’s Action Council and has received numerous honors and awards including the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, the Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence and the Faculty Distinguished Service Award. He currently was serving on the board of directors for Lifescape Community Services, Inc and the Blazer Foundation and was the majority owner, CEO and Medical director of Hospice Care of America in Rockford.
Most recently, Dr. Werckle was honored at the formal investiture ceremony of Drs. Li and Mathew through the establishment of the Michael A, Werckle, MD, Endowed Professorship in Biomedical Sciences at the University College of Medicine. This distinguished honor was the highlight of Dr. Werckle’s life’s work and is a great portion of his legacy. This honor was not only important to the Blazer Foundation because Dr. Werckle was on our Board and our great friend, but also because in our mission to improve the lives of individuals with mental or physical disabilities, the Foundation strongly supports initiatives in research and development and largely supported UICOM and the research that they are doing there. Following Mr. Blazer’s death in 2008, the Foundation became a separate charitable and philanthropic foundation and in 2013 The Blazer foundation pledged $3 million to the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, matched by the University of Illinois College of Medicine, in support of the regenerative medicine research program.
Although many who knew Dr. Werckle remember him as a respected physician, many who knew him intimately would claim that his real legacy is his great family. He was known as a true family man. He cherished his family and his wife Patti to no end and he will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed greatly at the Blazer Foundation and by all who knew him in the community through all his various roles. Thank you Dr. Werckle, Patti Werckle (wife) and family for your commitment to the Blazer Foundation and for the lives you have touched through the many roles you have held.
There will be a visitation the evening of Friday April 6th at the UIC Rockford at Olson Funeral Home, details pending. Service at 2pm April 7th at UIC Rockford School of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dr. Werckle’s most recent endeavor, Hospice Care of America.
Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford at the investiture ceremony.