Grandma Dedafoe's Scrapbook
SPENCER, Dr. Perry C., 91, died Monday. Arrangements by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
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SPENCER, Perry C., M.D.
Lansing
Born December 18, 1904, passed away on November 25, 1996. The family of Dr. Spencer has lost a loving husband, father
grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of over 75 years, Gladys; a loving
father to his children, Patricia LEARY of Haslett, MI, James SPENCER of Green River, MY; and a proud grandfather to his 7
grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dr. SPENCER was a graduate of Kalamazoo College, and the University of Michigan
Medical School. He was a General Practitioner in the Lansing area for over fifty years and cared deeply for his many
patients; and served as past President of the Ingham County Medical Society. He was a veteran of World War II, serving at
a Lt. Commander assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in the U.S. Navy. He saw active duty in the field hospitals in the
South Pacific, and received a citation for outstanding surgery on a hospital ship off the island of Iwo Jima. The family
wishes to thank all the caregivers from Burcham Hills Retirement Center, Hospice of Lansing, Inc. and St. Lawrence
Dimondale Center during Doctors extended illness. A very special thank-you to Dr. Fred Issacs for his loving and
compassionate care. A memorial service will be conducted by The Rev. David L. Voorhees at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 30,
1996 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel to celebrate Dr. Spencer's life. The family will receive friends at the
Funeral Home from 12 noon until service time on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of
Lansing, Inc., Burcham Hills Retirement Center, or to St. Lawrence Dimondale Center.
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Perry SPENCER, longtime doctor
By Mark Mayes
Lansing State Journal
When Dr. Philip Lange thinks of the typical family doctor, Perry Spencer comes to mind.
Spencer delivered babies, cared for their coughs and pains, set their broken bones and then delivered
their children. But, most of all, he got to know them.
"One of the complaints now is that doctors don't take the time to listen to their patients," said Lange, a
retired Lansing doctor who now lives on Beaver Island. "He always listened."
Spencer listened to and cared for Lansing-area residents for more than 50 years as one of the city's most
popular and busiest physicians. He died Monday at age 91.
Colleagues described him as a versatile and compassionate doctor who cared deeply for his patients.
He also took an interest in young doctors like Lange and B. Wayne Bingham and took the time to teach them
about family practice and bedside manner.
"He was a mentor for quite a few of us," Bingham said. "He just passed on the art of medicine and how to
deal with people and give them your best."
Bingham worked with Spencer in the early 1950s and later was referred patients by his mentor. Lange took
over Spencer 's practice for the summer of 1950.
Spencer graduated Kalamazoo College and the University of Michigan Medical School. He served an
internship at St. Lawrence Hospital and later opened a Townsend Street office in 1931.
He served as a lieutenant commander in the 3rd Marine Division of the Navy during World War II and saw
active duty in the field hospitals in the South Pacific. He was cited for outstanding surgery on a hospital ship off the
island of Iwo Jima.
He resumed his practice in 1946. In the 1950s and 1960s, he served as president of the Ingham County
chapter of the American Academy of General Practice and the Ingham County Medical Society.
He is survived by wife, Gladys; two children; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Services are
1 p.m. Saturday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
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