Dr. Ira and Barbara Kodner of Frontenac celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 22, 2023, with their family and friends. Ira is a retired Colon and Rectal surgeon and Professor of Surgery who started the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Washington University, and practiced for 35 years at Jewish Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Barbara worked as an Advertising Copywriter early in their marriage while Ira was in medical school. Their son Charles was born in 1966, after which they lived in Germany for three years while Ira was in the Army, finishing as a Major. Daughter Beth was born during Ira’s residency in surgery upon returning to St. Louis, and daughter Molly was born in Cleveland during his Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.

In addition to his clinical and academic practice, Ira also started the Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values at Washington University and served as the chief medical consultant for KMOV-TV for seven years, while Barbara served on the Board of the Jewish Hospital Auxiliary for over 20 years and volunteered as an editor of journal articles and book chapters for four surgeons in the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Ira and Barbara love spending time with their children and two grandchildren during vacations to Sanibel Island, hosting dinner parties, growing orchids, tending gardens, keeping bees and traveling all over the world. They are blessed with a loving family and many dear friends.