Dr. John O. Susac

DR. JOHN O. SUSAC, 71

WINTER HAVEN - Dr. John O. Susac of Winter Haven, Florida, a well-respected neuro-ophthalmologist, passed away February 23, 2012 at the age of 71 due to complications relating to cancer. Dr. Susac, born in Powhatan Point, Ohio, was valedictorian of Powhatan Point High School, class of '58. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Lois. Dr. Susac earned academic scholarships to the Ohio State University's undergraduate and medical school programs, where he graduated cum laude from both programs. While at Ohio State, Dr. Susac also earned membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Society and was named to the Land Acre Medical Honor Society at the Ohio State Medical School. After graduating from medical school, he entered the Army, completing his internship and residency at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco and a residency in neurology and neuro-ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco. He was Chief of Neurology at William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas, and he completed a fellowship at the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. After his fellowship he was appointed Assistant Chief of Neurology and Neuro-ophthalmology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. and served as Associate Professor of Neurology with Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. During his career in the Army, he rose to the rank of Colonel. In 1978, Dr. Susac entered private practice and joined Neurology & Neurosurgery Associates in Winter Haven, Florida. Dr. Susac discovered a rare disease in 1979 that was ultimately named after him -- "Susac Syndrome." Dr. Susac treated patients from all over the world and educated other physicians on Susac Syndrome, including most recently, the World Congress of Neurology held in Barcelona, Spain.
John will be remembered by his family as a wonderful father, a brilliant doctor, a caring man, and the family's hero. He never missed a baseball game, dance recital, birthday, or graduation. He was an Eagle Scout, valedictorian, respected doctor and a wonderful husband for over 50 years. He was an animal lover, history buff, jazz enthusiast and literary and language aficionado. John is survived by his wife, Lois; his daughters Holly Tabernilla and Heather Susac; sons John and Jeremy; his grandchildren Christian and Sofia Tabernilla and Johnny and Jacob Torkin; his sons-in-law Armando Tabernilla and Michael Torkin; his brother Andrew Susac and sisters Gloria and Glenna Morris.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the International Susac's Syndrome Foundation at the University of Calgary, a non-profit organization devoted to supporting research of the Susac Syndrome. Donations can be sent to International Susac's Syndrome Foundation, 50 2nd Street SE, Winter Haven, Florida 33880.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven, 637 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, Florida. A memorial will also be held in Powhatan Point, Ohio at a future date. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com .