It is with great sadness that we report the passing of longtime AOFAS member, surgeon, and educator Frederick G. Lippert III, MD, at the age of 87.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Dr. Lippert earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont Medical School in 1965 and completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Vermont in 1970. He was chief of orthopaedics at the VA Hospital in Seattle and taught in the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics from 1972-1990. During the first Gulf War, he stepped in as the orthopaedic surgeon for U.S. Marines at the 29 Palms Air Ground Combat Center. He then served as an orthopaedic surgeon at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, until his retirement in 2004.
Dr. Lippert was passionate about orthopaedic education. For more than 30 years, he co-chaired the AAOS Course for Orthopaedic Educators, serving as a true "teacher of teachers." He was active in AOFAS educational activities as well and co-chaired the first AOFAS Complete Foot Care Course in 1986. Often referred to as the "Milwaukee Course," this course provided training for advanced healthcare practitioners and emphasized a team-based approach to foot care.
In addition, Dr. Lippert was instrumental in the creation of Sawbones in the 1970s. While at the University of Washington, he approached Sawbones founder Foss Miller with the idea to create a realistic model bone his residents could use to practice cutting bones. Sawbones is now a multinational company whose products are used in orthopaedic training programs around the world.
A skilled trumpet player and music lover, Dr. Lippert was a founder of the Orthopaedic Jazz Band, a group of orthopaedic surgeons who performed at the AAOS Annual Meeting for more than 20 years. He also performed with the AOFAS Sole Heelers band at the Society's 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2009.
"Fred Lippert altruistically served his country and served the AOFAS and AAOS with all his heart and soul. He epitomized the surgeon-teacher-leader role and set the standard for all of us."
– Lew C. Schon, MD