Michael S. Sommer, retired Beebe physician
Mike Sommer was a devoted father to his three children, Sandor Sommer of New Orleans, La., John Sommer (Jensin) of Annapolis, Md., and Laura Skrzynski (Robert) of London, England. He was lovingly called ‘Pop’ by his three grandchildren: Lael Sommer of San Diego, Calif.; Peyton Sommer of Pensacola, Fla.; and Alexander Sommer of New Orleans.
Sommer attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., where he led the Tigers to the Interhigh and City football championships in 1952. He was also the Washington, D.C. interhigh sprint champion in track that same year.
He served in the U.S. Navy prior to his matriculation to George Washington University in 1954. While at George Washington he played football and was named All-Southern Conference in 1955 and 1957, and helped the Colonials defeat UTEP in the 1957 Sun Bowl. He is a member of the George Washington Sports Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation, Sommer was drafted by the hometown Washington Redskins as the 16th overall pick in the 1958 NFL draft. His NFL career included three years with the Redskins and three years with the Baltimore Colts, where he was a member of the 1959 World Championship team that featured NFL greats Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Art Donovan and Alan Ameche. He also played one year in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders.
Following football, Sommer earned a medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Science, Washington, D.C. He then moved from Washington, D.C. with his children and former wife, Corinne Sommer, to practice urology in Hagerstown, Md., and later ran the emergency room at the City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va. His appointment as director of emergency medicine at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes prompted his final move to Rehoboth Beach.
Concurrent with his medical career, Sommer trained to compete in triathlons. He completed Ironman New Zealand and qualified to compete in the Hawaii Ironman three times. He also ran multiple marathons, including the Boston Marathon, finished the JFK 50-mile run in Maryland, and inspired his daughter to do the same.
From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Sommer was called to share his love of learning and of mentoring young men as he was appointed the school doctor at Christ School in Asheville, N.C. While there he also taught biology and anatomy, and coached football, track and swimming while living on campus during the school sessions with his wife, Barbara Sommer.
In 2001, Dr. Sommer retired as medical director of emergency medicine with Beebe Medical Center.
In retirement, Sommer biked daily in Dunedin, Fla., and Rehoboth Beach, and rode across America in 2008 along with his wife. Other travels with friends include cycling trips over much of Europe including coastal Tuscany and Sicily in Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the English Cotswolds and Malta.
He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara Sommer of Dunedin and Rehoboth Beach.
Michael was a man whose humility was evident. His interest in people and their lives was an obvious trait. His legacy is embodied by a favorite quote: “People may remember what you said or did, but most of all, they’ll remember how you made them feel.”
A celebration of his life will take place in Rehoboth in August 2022.
In lieu of flowers, contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.
