Michael Koller, M.D., 53, died peacefully at his Oak Park home on Nov. 11, 2014 after a long illness. Raised in Calumet City, he graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana, and Western Illinois University in Macomb. He earned his medical degree and completed a residency in internal medicine at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine.
After becoming a physician, Dr. Koller earned a Master of Divinity degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake (also known as Mundelein Seminary). As an internist at Loyola, he treated about 300 priests from the Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet and chaired the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Health Program for Priests Advisory Board.
He was assistant dean for educational affairs; chair of the admissions committee; director of the second-year curriculum; associate professor; and president of the Alumni Relations Board. He twice received teacher-of-the-year awards: the Outstanding Basic Science Faculty of the Year Award and the Ralph Leischner Master Teacher Award.
Colleagues described him as generous, caring, supportive, loving and kind, with an endearing and self-deprecating sense of humor. He volunteered at many Stritch School of Medicine student and alumni events, often serving as an ambassador for the school. Every fall, he wrote and starred in a humorous Loyola music video urging Loyola health system employees to get flu shots. Wearing crazy costumes, he would sing pop songs with rewritten lyrics.
A highly skilled pianist and pipe organist, he was the longtime music director and choir director at St. Victor Parish in Calumet City.
Dr. Michael Koller is survived by his brother, Mark (Eileen) Koller, D.D.S., and his niece and nephews, Erin, Sean and Brendan Koller. He was preceded in death by his parents, John C. Koller, and Marcy Koller.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Victor Church, 553 Hirsh St. in Calumet City and again on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the church, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Calumet City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael W. Koller, M.D./William C. Bayer, M.D Medical Student Scholarship Fund at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Contributions also may be made payable to Loyola University Chicago, St. Victor Church or the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.