Billie L. Aronoff MD

Billie Louis Aronoff, M.D, dedicated Physician, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away on May 28, 2011. He was born in Dallas, Texas on May 28, 1914 to Joseph and Julia Aronoff. He graduated from Forest Avenue High School. He then attended the University of Chicago and Southern Methodist University; graduating from Baylor University Medical School in Dallas, Texas in 1938. After doing a Surgical Internship and Residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, he recognized the need for a skilled surgical oncologist in Dallas, Texas; thus he set out to pursue further medical training. He served as a Surgical Fellow at Lehey Clinic in Boston, MA; Surgical Resident at Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, LA, and Chief Surgical Resident at Memorial Hospital for Cancer in New York City before returning to Dallas in 1945 to begin a distinguished career as a Surgical Oncologist at Baylor Medical Center for almost 50 years. Utilizing his skill and training, he dedicated his life to conquering cancer, serving on the National Board of the American Cancer Society, Advisory Board for Cancer Control at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Director of Surgical Oncology at Charles A Sammons Cancer Center, and Consultant in Head and Neck Tumors at several Medical Centers in Dallas. As a part of his lifelong pursuit of knowledge and advancing the fight against cancer, he became skilled in the use of lasers as a surgical instrument. He trained other physicians in the use of surgical lasers and served as President and on the Executive Committee of the International Society of Laser Surgery. He also served as Visiting Professor of Oncology at Baylor Dental School, Southwestern Medical School, University of Buffalo, Georgia Baptist Hospital, and the Medical Center of Delaware. In addition, he was active in numerous local, national, and international medical organizations. His greatest joy was being with his family; sitting down to dinner as a family each evening. He had a strong belief in the importance of education and was always ready to assist in homework, especially math and science. He married the love of his life, Valerie Rosenthal, on February 7, 1942 and they had 68 cherished years together. Billie was devoted to his 4 children, 6 grandchildren and so happy in recent years to have 3 great grandchildren and 1 great grandchild to be born in June. Billie and Valerie traveled extensively and loved to share their adventures around the world with their friends and family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Valerie, his parents, his brother, Phillip Aronoff, and his sisters, Naomi Brooks and Toby Summers. He is survived by his children: Gail Granek, Dr. Stephen and Joanne Aronoff, Nancy Aronoff, and Dr. Ronald and Karyl Aronoff, grandchildren: Dr. Elise Granek (Mark Brown), Dr. Joshua Granek (Dr. Daphne Friedman), Jason Aronoff, Alex Aronoff (Emily), Miriam Aronoff, and Matthew Aronoff (Gretchen Tracy), and great grandchildren: Yair Granek, Naomi Granek Brown, and Ozzy Aronoff. Dad, thank you for teaching us the importance of integrity, pride in doing a job well, hard work, dependability, and respect. We would like to thank Shon Harris and Sonya Rean for the loving care they have given our father. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, at 3:00 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El Lefkowitz Chapel, Rabbi Oren Hayon officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkland Auxiliary, Valerie R. Aronoff Scholarship Fund, c/o Volunteer Services, Parkland Hospital, 5201 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235, the American Cancer Society of the charity of your choice.