9/4/1948–10/14/2022
A loving, bountiful life of supreme dedication and generosity came to an end on October 14, 2022. Alan Dengiz passed away in peace at Arbor Hospice, surrounded by the family he cherished. This remarkable physician, who brought comfort to countless patients and their families, received his own devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (later diagnosed as Lewy Body dementia) in 2015. Alan defined his work and his life by the hope, comfort, and joy he was able to offer to others. True to form, his brain will support dementia research—his ultimate gift. Admired by his patients and peers, Alan Dengiz possessed the intellect and bedside manner that made him a stand-out, model practitioner. Listed in “Best Doctors in America,” he also received recognition in Hour Detroit magazine as a top geriatric and Alzheimer’s diagnostic physician, was named Michigan Geriatrician of the Year by the American Geriatric Society, and was given the Outstanding Geriatric Community Service Award from the Senior Citizens Guild of Ann Arbor (and they should know!). In a rich career spanning 40 years, he was board certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine, hospice, and palliative care. Alan was director of geriatric medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, an assistant professor of internal medicine at U-M who saw Turner Geriatric Center patients, and was medical director of Glacier Hills Retirement Community and Huron Woods Alzheimer’s Residential Care Center. He was passionate about always advocating for changes in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other critical areas specific to geriatrics. Alan was a national lecturer, a radio show host answering the questions of older adults, and a special guest in the PBS series Second Opinion, focused on caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s. His concern for the entire sphere of a patient’s life took him on a national media tour with actor Héctor Elizondo to raise awareness of caregiver stress. As passionate as he was about medicine, his first love was theater, a personal thrill that spread happiness everywhere. He was both the magician at every birthday party and the neighborhood’s Santa Claus. He loved being in every Burns Park Players production, an organization he cofounded and proudly directed. Alan and his wife, Lisa, also launched two more musical theater groups: the Tappan Players and the All-City High School players, never cutting anyone from auditions and showcasing casts of hundreds. Alan Dengiz was a family man and a physician with a unique flair who will be missed by generations blessed to have been touched by his smile, warmth, and true love of life. He will be treasured and celebrated most of all by his beloved Lisa, his soulmate of 47 years, and his three children, whom he adored, Rachel Dengiz (David), Emily Naylor (Jon), and Ben Dengiz (Krysta), as well as his four grandchildren, who lit up his entire world, Madelyn, Dashiell, Samantha, and Nicholas. The loss of Alan will be deeply felt by his two “kid” sisters, Suzanne Dengiz (Glenn Whitelaw) and Rosemary Dengiz-Crawford (Bob Crawford), and their children, Kirk, Brett, Andrew, and Katie, with memories of precious times spent with him since his diagnosis and throughout his life. Donations can be made to the Alan N. Dengiz, M.D. Next Generation Fund.
Memories, condolences, and information about his upcoming celebration of life memorial are available at rememberingalandengiz.com.
