Hi Sung "Tom" Park

Dr. Hi Sung “Tom” Park, 81, of Lecanto, FL passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019 in his home after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born on May 14, 1937 in Kim Cheon, South Korea, the son of Bong Chang and Bok Soon Park.  Tom grew up in a poor family, a refugee of the Korean War, but studied diligently in school and graduated from KPU Medical School in 1962.  He was popular, famous for his sense of humor as well as his booming Baritone voice.  During this time, he met a pretty young nurse named Myung Hi (Helen), who would become the love of his life.  After graduation from medical school, Tom made the big move to the United States in 1966, starting his internship in the South Bronx.  Soon after, Tom and Helen married in Archangel St Michael’s Catholic Church in The Bronx in 1967.

He went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University and his fellowship in Nephrology at The University of Michigan.   With his training complete, Tom and Helen eventually moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they raised their three sons, Michael, Tom, and Dan, and learned a variety of hobbies including tennis and golf.  Tom became well known as a compassionate, astute clinician, practicing medicine in Kalamazoo as a kidney specialist for 30 years.  He spearheaded the merging of Borgess Medical Center Nephrology and Bronson Methodist Hospital Nephrology into the independent, Nephrology Center.  With concern for those in need, he started the “Hi Sung Park Fund,” a special fund within the Borgess Foundation specifically designed to aid poor income nephrology patients.

Following retirement, Tom and Helen made their way to Black Diamond Golf and Country Club in Lecanto, Florida in 2004, becoming full time residents in 2007.  Tom spent the remainder of his life there, fully enjoying countless hours with friends on the course and the range, honing his golf skills.  Unfortunately, his lung disease gradually worsened, forcing him to give up the game he loved the last 2 years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Bok Nam and Hi Ja; and a brother, Hi Yang. Survivors include his wife, Myung Hi “Helen” Park; three sons, Michael Park and his wife Joon Hi of Portage, MI, Tom Park of Chicago, IL and Dan Park and his wife Robin of Lake Forest, CA; three granddaughters, Kayla Park, Lauren Park and Alyssa Park all of Portage, MI and a grandson, Logan Park of Lake Forest, CA.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Hi Sung Thomas Park, MD will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 6 Roosevelt Blvd, Beverly Hills, FL 34465.  Monsignor Cesar Petilla will preside.

Following the funeral mass, The Park Family will host a Celebration of Tom’s Life at The Black Diamond Golf & Country Club, Main Dining Room, 3125 W Black Diamond Circle, Lecanto, FL 34461

In lieu of flowers, The Park Family asks you leave a donation to the “Hi Sung Park Fund.”  Please write checks out to The Borgess Foundation, 1521 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI, 49048 and write “Hi Sung Park Fund” on the Memo line. Donations may also be made through their website at www.borgessfoundation.org.

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