Reader: Dr. Jack Kevorkian Should Be Remembered as Patriot Who Eased Suffering, Not ‘Dr. Death’

A story about the sale of the Volkswagen minibus used by assisted suicide pioneer Dr. Jack Kevorkian of Royal Oak on calls to terminally ill patients is garnering some comments about whether euthanasia should be legalized.

Kevorkian, who lived in Royal Oak, helped at least 130 terminally ill patients die before his 1999 second-degree murder conviction in the death of a Waterford Township man. That case was profiled on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

Kevorkian, who served eight years in prison before his release in 2007, died in 2011 at the age of 83.

The world may have seen Kevorkian, who died in 2011, as “Dr. Death,” a user who goes by Ron Ostradamus pointed out, but Royal Oak should hold a “Jack Kevorkian day in memory of a patriot and humanitarian who had the courage f his convictions and paid the price in spades.”

“How and when an individual wants to leave this veil of tears should be the individual’s choice alone, not the decision of any government, court or medical community.”

Tell Us:

• Should euthanasia be legalized, and should physicians who assist their patients in dying be held harmless? Why or why not?

Another user, Bill, said there’s merit to “putting one out of their misery.”

“ ...I believe all of Jack’s clients were terminally ill, and most were dependent on others to take care them, and many were in terrible pain. There ought to be a way to set up checks and balances that would prevent an individual from making a rash decision but allow them to make a decision that they believe is best for them and their family. Perhaps having two medical doctors and a psychologist sign-off on the decision. And put a waiting period in there.”

Related:

• Dr. Jack Kevorkian's 'Deathmobile' Gets New Life