Fred Chasan

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Fred Chasan
Born(1924-04-04)April 4, 1924
New York City, New York, US
DiedJune 20, 2005(2005-06-20) (aged 81)
San Diego, California, US
EducationNew York University (B.A.)
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine (M.D.)
OccupationPhysician
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1954; died 2023)​
Children3, including Mark Chasan
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchU.S. Army, U.S. Navy
Years enlisted1942-1946
RankStaff Sergeant, Medical Officer
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsWWII Victory, EAMTO, ATO, Good Conduct

Fred Chasan (April 4, 1924 – June 20, 2005) was an American medical doctor from Los Angeles, California and veteran of World War II.[1][2][3]

Early life and education[edit]

S.Sgt. Chasan in WWII (c.1942)

Chasan was born April 4, 1924, in New York City to Morris and Pauline (née Philips) Chasan.[4]

In 1942, Chasan graduated from the Bronx High School of Science[5] and enrolled in the College of the City of New York majoring in biology for a Bachelor of Science degree. In parallel, he was a medical researcher at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.[6]

After serving as a medic in the United States Army during World War II,[7] Chasan resumed his university studies on the G.I. Bill at New York University,[8] graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry. He then pursued a Master of Arts from NYU's School of Education.[9] In 1962, Chasan received a medical degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine.[10] In 1974, he was awarded a fellowship degree by the American Academy of Family Physicians.[11]

Career[edit]

In the early 1960s, Chasan's wife Roslyn proposed becoming a lawyer, to which Chasan is said to have remarked, "You helped me through medical school – now I will help you [through law school]."[12]

By 1968 Chasan had become the chief of staff at the Memorial Hospital of Gardena,[13] and was named medical director by 1977.[14] During his time in private practice, Chasan worked with Epsilon Sigma Alpha[15] to administer thousands of polio vaccines.[16]

After retiring from private medical practice, Chasan rejoined the United States Military as a medical officer in the Navy working as a physician at Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park.[17]

Personal life[edit]

In 1952,[12] Chasan was set up on a blind date with his future wife Roslyn and the couple married in January 1954.[18] The couple had three sons in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including Mark.[19] Early in their marriage, Roslyn worked as a nurse in Chasan's medical practice.[20][failed verification]

House collapse[edit]

The Chasan Villa circa 1982

In the late 1970s, Chasan and his wife Roslyn built a large Mediterranean-style house on Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates, California.[21] However, by the early 1980s, a deteriorating city-owned storm drain system, compounded by a broken water main from the California Water Service Company, led to a landslide.[22] The family was forced to evacuate the house in 1981. By 1983, the house had either collapsed into the sea or been demolished.[23] A jury determined the city had failed in its responsibility to maintain the storm drain system, resulting in a settlement with the Chasan family.[22][24][25]

Later years and death[edit]

Chasan with his grandson, Jake (c. 2000)

In the aftermath of the collapse of the house, Chasan and Roslyn moved to Manhattan Beach, California, away from the Los Angeles peninsula.[23]

Chasan died on June 20, 2005, and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in California.[26]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Report of Separation with Honorable Discharge. World War II, United States Army. 1946-01-04. pp. 1-2.
  2. ^ "Alcoholism Workshop to Put Emphasis on Women". Los Angeles Times. 20 November 1977.
  3. ^ California Physician. 1984. p. 26.
  4. ^ State of New York Certificate and Record of Birth. The City of New York, Department of Health. Registered No. 14559. April 1924.
  5. ^ Glushak, Sol P. (May 1943). ""Electron" Observatory Yearbook". Bronx High School of Science. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  6. ^ "Photo of Fred Chasan Enlistment papers WWII". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  7. ^ Honorable Discharge of Fred Chasan. World War II, United States Army. 1946-01-2. pp. 1.
  8. ^ Baker, Suzanne; Libow, Sanford (May 1949). "NYU Class of 1949, NYU Washington Square College - Album Yearbook". New York University. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  9. ^ Student Records. Graduation Services, Office of the Registrar. New York University. 1949-06-15. Provided 2023-03-14.
  10. ^ "DCA - Search Details". MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA. 1975-03-21. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  11. ^ "Awards of Fellowship from the American Academy of Family Physicians". The Redondo Reflex. 1974-12-04. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  12. ^ a b Evelyn, Smith (1968-10-12). "Attorney Chasan: 'Women Have Great Potential'". Palos Verdes Peninsula News. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  13. ^ "Certificate: Surgical Staff of Memorial Hospital of Gardena". Southwestern Sun. 1968-05-09. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  14. ^ "Alcoholism Workshop to Put Emphasis on Women". The Los Angeles Times. 1977-11-20. p. 611. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  15. ^ "1,450 Polio Shots Given At Clinic" (PDF). Torrance Herald. 1959-03-08. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  16. ^ "Big Turnout Proves Success of Recent Torrance Polio Clinic at Plunge" (PDF). Torrance Press. 1959-01-29. p. 20.
  17. ^ "Fred Chasan, USA & USN". Mt Soledad Memorial. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  18. ^ Certificate of Marriage, Fred Chasan and Roslyn Pearl Lefkowitz, County of Los Angeles. 1954-01-03.
  19. ^ "Haute to Trot, Opening Day". Rancho Santa Fe Review. 2013-07-18. p. 26. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  20. ^ "Roz Chasan, Delphian Society Charter President". The Los Angeles Times. 1958-09-07. p. 165. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  21. ^ "Justice For All". The Daily Breeze. 1982-11-07. pp. 41–42. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  22. ^ a b "Palos Verdes Estates bluffs are a nightmare". The Redondo Reflex. 1983-02-23. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  23. ^ a b La Jeunesse, Anne. "Chasan Settlement is Largest in Palos Verdes Estates". Palos Verdes Peninsula News and Rolling Hills Herald (Print). Vol. XLVIV No. 16. 1986-02-22. pp. 1, 5.
  24. ^ "Those scenic Palos Verdes Estates bluffs are a nightmare to city officials". News-Pilot. 1983-02-21. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  25. ^ "Owners to get $1.28 million for lost home". News-Pilot. 1982-11-26. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  26. ^ "Roslyn Chasan Obituary (1932 - 2023) - San Diego, CA - Los Angeles Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
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