Obituary of Sumner Charles Kraft

Dr. Sumner Charles Kraft, 96, of Denver, Colorado, passed away at home on July 20, 2025. Born in 1928 in Lynn, Massachusetts, he was the eldest of four children of Ansel and Bella [Rome] Kraft. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Jane Haymon (2024).

Dr. Kraft dedicated his life to serving others through medicine and military service. He attended Tufts University, earned a Master's in Biology from Boston University, and graduated from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for over 40 years, retiring as Colonel.

In 1963, Sumner married Patricia Pink in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Patricia's hometown where her immigrant grandparents were founding members of the local Jewish community. He embraced her large extended family as his own and was beloved by them in return. Pat and Sumner recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Sumner was a devoted father and loving grandfather whose family was central to his life.

Sumner was a sensitive, pragmatic, thoughtful, soft-spoken man with genuine interest in others. He was unflappable, laid back, and calm, yet could charm everyone with his warmth, humor, and engaging stories. Friends and family deeply appreciated his willingness to serve as a medical resource, often speaking directly to doctors on behalf of others. Sumner was an avid sports fan, holding Chicago Bears season tickets for many years and was a second-generation Red Sox fan.

Dr. Kraft built a distinguished career at the University of Chicago, as a professor, researcher and clinician, conducting groundbreaking gastroenterology research. His work on inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease, appeared in many prestigious medical journals and earned him the William Beaumont Prize for clinical research from the American Gastroenterological Association.

Following his University of Chicago tenure, Sumner and Patricia moved to Carbondale, Colorado, where they enjoyed views of Mt. Sopris for 14 magical years. In 2012, they relocated to Denver after the birth of their granddaughter, Tali. Always eager to discover new places and to practice the art of medicine, Sumner completed over 30 locum tenens assignments nationwide, maintaining medical licenses in almost a dozen states and practicing well into his 80s.

Sumner is survived by his beloved wife Patricia; son Gary (Natalie Voss); daughter Jennifer (Donnie Emeson); son Steven (Abigail Hepburn); grandchildren Oliver, Tali and Gus; brother Robert W. Kraft and sister, Joan Boyages.

Sumner was adored and will be deeply missed.

Service, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1:00pm, Feldman Mortuary Chapel; interment Emanuel Cemetery; livestream available on Feldman Mortuary's YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers: Donations may be made to the Denver Hospice (https://thedenverhospice.org/donation/) or to the Gastrointestinal Research Foundation (https://giresearchfoundation.org)