John P. Kaufman, MD, (JK, JPK, John, Johnny, Dr. K) of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023, due to complications from a cerebral vascular accident.

Dr. Kaufman was born in Durham, N.C., on September 9, 1944, as the first son of William Henry Kaufman, MD, and Elizabeth Pearse Kaufman, who predeceased him.

Dr. Kaufman moved to Roanoke, Va., in 1947. Dr. Kaufman attended Crystal Spring Elementary School, Lee Junior High School, and Mercersburg Academy. His lifelong Roanoke friends and the Mercersburg Lads of ’62 are sure to recall great tales of their memorable youth!

Dr. Kaufman then attended Duke University as an undergraduate student and received his Bachelor of Arts degree as an English major in 1966. At Duke University, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Dr. Kaufman attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine and graduated in 1970 as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Dr. Kaufman completed his internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan followed by his residency in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Virginia (1971-1974). Following residency, Dr. Kaufman proudly served as a Major in the United States Air Force in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1974 – 1977. He cherished his time of duty as a medical officer and the countless relationships and knowledge that he gained during this time in Europe.

Dr. Kaufman returned to Virginia in 1977 to join his father’s dermatology practice in South Roanoke. Dr. William Kaufman handed the reins to Dr. John Kaufman to fulfill the dermatologic needs of many Southwest Virginia patients for over thirty years.

Dr. Kaufman was a visiting professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Virginia throughout his career in private practice. It was a privilege and honor for him to return to the UVA Department of Dermatology to carry on the teachings of his previous mentors.

Dr. Kaufman was a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, past president of the Southwest Virginia Medical Society, an active member of Roanoke Country Club with a passion for tennis, a member of the Shenandoah Club, along with involvement in countless other social and professional groups.

Dr. Kaufman retired from clinical practice in 2012. He valued his work and his patients tremendously. His retirement was concomitant with the arrival of his first grandchild.

Dr. Kaufman was a man of many talents and interests. He lived by the mantra of “Work Hard. Play Hard.” He enjoyed traveling, fine cuisine, scuba diving, geography, quiz shows, the concept of time travel, beach music, basketball, dancing, puzzles, football, the beach, actually, all sports, and partying! He always had “something to look forward to!” He appreciated the concept of delayed gratification.

Dr. Kaufman is survived by his two “pieces of gold,” daughter, Elizabeth Kaufman McNamara, M.D. (Robert Stanley McNamara, Ph.D.), and son, William Sargent Kaufman, M.D. (Megan Kinney Kaufman, M.D.). Dr. John Kaufman is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Kaufman Scott (Terry); brother, Richard Boucher Kaufman (Georgene); grandchildren, Elizabeth Brynn McNamara, Robert John McNamara, William Brendan McNamara, Kinney Lee Kaufman; former wife and mother of his children, Linda Gail Sargent; niece, Julie Kaufman Nussdorfer; nephews, James Kaufman Scott, John Lemur Scott, and Richard Pearse Kaufman; dear friend, Patricia Camper Johnson; and many other close friends and family.