Obituary of Jeffrey Ira Widen

Jeffrey Ira Widen Born: June 27, 1941 Died: December 28, 2019 Jeff was born in Chicago, Illinois, to George Widen and Bertha Handzel. He grew up in Los Angels, California and attended UCLA. During his junior year, Jeff received a full scholarship to the California Podiatry College in San Francisco. He graduated in 1966 and was one of only three graduates, nationally, to receive a hospital residency. Upon completion of that residency he began practicing in the Los Angeles area where his services included visiting homebound residents in the Watts area. Jeff married Marilyn Gersen in l963. They had two children, Michelle and Greg. The family moved to Ashland, Oregon, in 1973 where Dr. Widen started the only podiatry practice in that city. He continued to serve both the community and surrounding areas until his retirement in 2004. Dr. Widen introduced the practice of Sports Medicine in the Rogue Valley. He participated in the initial development of running shoes as more people began exercising. He continued his education throughout his career, becoming certified in laser surgery. He was on staff at Ashland Community Hospital, Rogue Valley Medical Center and Providence Hospital, Medford. He also worked with Southern Oregon State’s College athletic department in training athletes as well as lecturing. He also provided sports medicine running clinics to the community. Besides being a doctor and single parent (divorced1975), Jeff was active in his communities. During the 1960’s, Jeff actively participated in the civil rights movements (inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King) in San Francisco and Los Angeles. This included sit-ins at hotels and car dealerships. In his early years in Ashland, he provided free services at the Senior Center each month. Later he served on and chaired the Human Services Commission for Jackson County, and ushered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (20+ years). In his mid-20’s Jeff discovered the beauty and excitement of horse riding. He took riding lessons, bought a horse and enjoyed riding in the hills both in Los Angeles and Ashland. He transitioned to becoming an avid bicycle rider during the 1980s, a passion that continued throughout his life. He rode in many races and completed multiple century rides. Most mornings he was at the gym before going to his office, a ritual he continued until his diagnosis of cancer. Jeff met Lois Stevens in 1991. They married 11/25/94 and celebrated their 25th anniversary with family a month before his passing. Jeff is survived by his wife Lois, daughter Michelle Widen Blundell (husband Joe), son Greg Widen, grandson Austin Widen, stepson Robert Stevens (wife Debbie), stepson Richard Stevens, stepdaughter Robin Carkner, step grandson Grant Carkner, step granddaughter Caitlyn Carkner. From Colorado are sister Susie Gulizia (husband Mike), niece Sherrill Martin (husband Chris), and great nephew Jake . Also surviving him are brother-in-law Bill Cinquini (wife Laura) and niece-inlaw Ruth Cinquini Richerson (husband Scott) and their children Peter and Jonah. Jeff will be missed by close friends Rosemary Dunn Dalton and Marie Bagley, Mark Gibbons and Sue Meyerott, John Richardson, George Andreev and the community fellowship he was part of. A Celebration of Jeff Widen’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 11, from 12:30 - 3:00, at the Gladstone Community Club in Gladstone. Donations in his name may be made to the following: Dunn House/Community Works, Medford Oregon Oregon Food Bank.