Michael D. Iseman MD

Michael Iseman MD

Michael Iseman, 83, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on Nov. 20, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. Mike was born on March 3, 1939, and spent his formative years in Fremont, Nebraska. There he met his wife to be, Joan, when they were in junior high (he was the only boy taller than she was). He earned a history degree from Princeton University followed by a medical degree from Columbia Physicians and Surgeons. Mike served two years in the U.S. Navy in Hawaii, after which he settled down in Denver, Colorado, to raise his family and practice medicine.

Mike was an accomplished athlete and took lifelong joy from sports. He excelled in high school, earning all-state honors in four sports and being named Nebraska High School Athlete of the Year, and later being inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. He chose Princeton University because the coach's wife promised to bake him chocolate chip cookies every week (and she did). He starred on the Tiger football team and lettered in track. At Columbia he took up rugby, being named to the All-Decade Rugby Team and the legendary Old Blue Hall of Fame. In his 40s, he was persuaded to try crew and went on to win a masters world championship with the esteemed Team YOFRA. Even in his 70s, Mike was often spotted pumping iron at the Greenwood Athletic Club. When he wasn't playing, he was coaching or cheering, helming his sons' Little League teams and taking them to Chili's after the game, win or lose. He was a lifelong Denver baseball fan, supporting the Bears and Zephyrs before being a 25-year season ticket holder of the Rockies. His passion for the sport led him to exchange emails with the Rockies' owner for over 10 years, proposing trades, scouting the farm system and discussing the merits of bunting at Coors Field.

Mike served on the faculty for the University of Colorado Medical School and headed up the Tuberculosis program at National Jewish Hospital. But, more important than the accolades, were the patients. He often dealt with the most challenging cases from around the country, and was always willing to do a phone consultation for those seeking his expertise in managing the most difficult cases of tuberculosis. He prided himself on making patients feel more human and treating them with dignity and empathy.

He was also a great husband and father. Mike is survived by wife Joan; sister, Toni; sons Matt and Tom; daughter-in-law, Alexandra; and granddaughter, Claire.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Village Club in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 1-5 p.m. with words of remembrance at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to National Jewish Hospital: https://donate.nationaljewish.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Iseman family.