Dr. Helmut M. Redetzki


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Jul 15th, 2013

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  • Death Date: Jul 15, 2013

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Biography: Dr. Helmut M. Redetzki, of Little Rock, died at age 91 on Monday, July 15, 2013. He was a native of Germany, earned his MD degree and specialty training in Internal Medicine at the University of Hamburg. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1956, obtained U.S. citizenship and dedicated himself to a lifelong career in academic medicine. He held faculty appointments at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; Louisiana State University, School of Medicine, New Orleans and served 20 years as Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, in Shreveport. He distinguished himself as physician, teacher, and researcher, contributing to advances in drug therapy and especially to new developments in medical toxicology. He received numerous academic honors and student teaching awards; served on the executive boards of national medicine and scientific organizations and from 1981 to 1989 as Editor in Chief of the international Journal of Toxicology-Clinical Toxicology. After his retirement in 1991 he and his wife moved to Little Rock where he devoted himself to intellectual pursuits in Art History, History, and Literature by enrolling as a student taking courses at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He loved the nature of Arkansas and together with his wife spent much time traveling through the state, exploring its trails, photographing landscapes, flowers and butterflies. He is survived by his wife, Joyce E. Redetzki, MD and three nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham Street, on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Condolences(13)
Kenneth McMartin
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I have wonderful memories of Helmut during our interactions at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport - for starters he was instrumental in hiring me into my first (and only) faculty position in pharmacology and toxicology. I will always be grateful for his support, encouragement and mentorship thoughout those years. He led by his own example a very active and congenial department including faculty, staff and students. My anecdote to pass along is that when he retired, he called me into his office and opened his bottom desk drawer and gave me a pint bottle of whiskey, saying that he no longer needed it and hoped that I would put it to good use. The back story of course is that Helmut conducted ethanol research and that I also had been studying the effects of ethanol on folate metabolism in humans and rats. Ironically that bottle is still in my office. Think I will crack it open and salute a great person.
Dr. Kenneth E. Ferslew, Ph.D.
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dr. Redetzki was a great mentor to me. He taught me so much as a graduate student at LSUMC about medical pharmacology and clinical toxicology. He inspired me to go into academics and has been one of my role models for my career. Helmut gave so much of himself to all of those who shared their life paths with him. He will be missed by all he touched. My deepest sympathies to all his family, colleagues, and friends who will miss him so.
Jane Hetherington Brown
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My sincere condolences to Dr. Joyce Redetzki and to the family.I was privileged to know Dr. Helmut Redetzki as a student in my art history classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Although he was seeking an art history degree, we, the students and I, became his pupils. He taught by example, demonstrating his supple intellect to his younger colleagues as he asked challenging questions and deployed his extensive knowledge to illuminate class discussions. Always gracious and generous with his talents, he embodied the love of learning that marks a true scholar. We were immeasurably enriched by his presence.
Jane Hetherington Brown, Ph.D., Professor of Art
Ann Carrington, PhD
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dr. Redetzki was Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics when I was a graduate student there in the 1980's. He was a true gentleman, an excellent teacher, and surely the most respected man on campus at that time. I will never forget my time spent in his Department and the many things he taught me regarding pharmacology and academics. He was kind and caring and in later years when I saw him in Little Rock, it was always a genuine pleasure. He loved the art world and it was such a treasured moment to talk with him and Dr. Joyce when we saw them out in various venues around Little Rock. My condolences to his family and many friends and colleagues. God Bless you Dr. Redetzki; you will be missed.
Patrick R Carrington MD
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
37 years ago during the second year of medical school there were two, among many, MD's who literally made you glad you were going to be a doctor: Helmut Redtzki MD and Albert Smith MD (Pathology). Space won't allow me to name ALL of them, but, the Clinical Basic Science Year (2nd Year) was, most of all, a validation of choice to go into Medicine. Yes, we stand on the shoulders of giants and that affords our Patients better Medicine, but, we never, ever forget those who came before. Again, lack of space means I can't list ALL of them. LSU Health Sciences in Shreveport, formed in the VA Medical Center, was and remains a fantastic clinical institution. It is such a pleasure to have known Dr Redetzki, and Dr Joyce, both at LSUMC and in Little Rock at UAMS where I taught for ~15 years. To see him and Joyce and Dr Netchvolodoff (Netch) in LIttle Rock was always a pleasure of where I came from. Thank you, Dr Redetzki.
Thomas Carey, M.D.
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dr. Redetzki was one of the early professors that started with our first class, fall 1969. He was a kind and humble gentleman and he remains one of the most brilliant men I have ever met. His hard work helped establish a fine department at LSU Medical School in Shreveport. I will miss him greatly. His wife Joyce and his family will be in my prayers. God Bless you Helmut Redetzki.
David A Cavanaugh
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I remember Dr Redetzki fondly as he taught me pharmacology at LSU Med School in the 70s. A wonderful and conscientious educator. As my class neared graduation he came to us saying he needed to give us some added instruction on a new class of drugs that would be coming out when we would be interns that had not been on the market when we had his pharmacology classes 2 years prior. My condolences to his family.
Dennis Venable, MD
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Redetzki's passing. I knew him first when I was a medical student here at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and later as a colleague, after I returned from fellowship training to join the Urology Faculty here. I had great respect and admiration for his teaching and administrative/leadership abilities. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis Venable, MD
Professor and Chairman of Urology
LSU Health Shreveport
Phillip and Susie Jobe
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
"Helmut will be missed by the many faculty, staff, and others who came into his contact over the many years he spent as an administrator, teacher, researcher, and role model. He taught his faculty a sense of excellence while at the same time, remembering his many staff with chocolate bars. We will especially remember our time with him during the 14 years of being a faculty member (Professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry) and a staff member (Administrator of the Section of Toxicology) at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. He will be very well thought of for bringing the Poison Control Center to the Department in Shreveport. Due to his love of toxicology, he was Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Toxicology for many years. You (Joyce) will have all of your memories to recall from the days of LSU Medical Center in New Orleans, where you met. We wish you the best of everything in the future. Sincerely, Dr. Phillip and Susie Jobe."
Jim Zavecz
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Helmut was one cool dude. He always had a new joke to tell whenever I saw him. I am grateful that I had the privilegde to be a colleague.
Nicholas E Goeders, Ph.D.
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
As Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Dr. Redetzki was in charge when I was a graduate student there. He was a true gentleman, an outstanding scientist and an effective educator and leader. He helped to make the Pharmacology Department one of the most respected departments in the institution. I am now Head of the same department, and I only hope that I can live up to the wonderful example that Dr. Redetzki exemplified.
Joanmarie Ehman
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Helmut was a wonderful steward of his 91 years. He lived his life with passion, curiosity, perseverance, dedication, generosity, and appreciation. He was a devoted, caring husband who truly loved his wife. He was a man well deserving of the respect and admiration he received for his intellectual contributions as well as his artistic talent. Undoubtedly, the legacy of his character and example will continue to inspire the privileged who knew or met him. I am glad I am among them.
Ted Ehman
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Joyce,
What a blessing it was to have had Helmut in your life for so many years. We pray for comfort, peace, and your well being during this time of mourning your loss.
Sincerely, Ted & Joanmarie Ehman

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