John T. "Jack" Mahnke M.D.

John Mahnke Obituary

John T. "Jack" Mahnke M.D. passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at home.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Jack was born in Detroit, Mich., but raised in Glendale, where he attended local schools. His college career was interrupted for two years by the Korean War. During his military stint, he served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman and it was there that he received his first taste of clinical medicine.

After discharge, Jack completed pre-med studies and graduated from medical school at the University of California, Irvine. He interned in Seattle and practiced as a primary care provider for two years before he chose to return for specialty study in obstetrics and gynecology in Bakersfield. Since 1969 he was engaged in the private practice of obstetrics and gynecology in San Luis Obispo. He was extremely dedicated to the practice of medicine and on numerous occasions he delivered second-generation babies.

For 25 years, Jack was a member of the executive committee of the California Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and was honored to be their president for two years. This organization was committed to improving women's care by proposing legislation and one of his most outstanding accomplishments was to have a bill signed into law which exempts women from being required to obtain a referral from their primary care provider before being allowed to consult a gynecologist. Additionally, he actively continued his government relations avocation and continued to serve in several local hospital staff capacities.

Jack was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Jack met his wife in 1988 and became engaged to her Nov. 10,

1990. They were married Sept. 5, 1998, with his close friend, Jan Sarkin as best man. Guests described their wedding as a truly magical evening. Jack was the love of Grace's life and his best friend. They enjoyed going wine tasting and were married at Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles. They shared their home with two beautiful cats who loved to curl up on his lap to take a nap.

Jack authored "Tenets of Thieves," his first of five novels, which is in the process of being published. He had three medical-legal articles published in professional journals and looked forward to his new career as a writer when he retired from the practice of medicine. Writing was his newfound passion and he was an active member of the SLO NightWriters.

Jack was also a DeMolay and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Jack is survived by his wife, Grace E. Brown; children, Karl Mahnke of Clearwater, Fla., Shawn Talbot of San Diego, John-Michael Mahnke of Safety Harbor and Heide Wright and husband Lawrence of Fullerton; grandson, Taylor Mahnke of Clearwater; sister, Dorothy Lloyd of San Diego; brother, Harold Mahnke of Bellevue, Wash.; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Blanche C. Mahnke and Harold A. Mahnke; and son, Kevin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA or Woods Humane Society, San Luis Obispo, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Nov. 16, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mahnke

6 Entries

Barry Yancosek

November 30, 2004

Although I didn't know Jack all that well I will remember him for his outgoing personality and the generous hospitality that he and his wife Grace have always extended to the Village Homes, Board of Directors.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Grace during these difficult times.

Barry, Nancy, Jesse and Kaela Yancosek.

Larry Hofmann

November 25, 2004

Grace,

Barbara and I are sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. Our family sends our thoughts, prayers and condolences to you at your time of grief. God be with you.

Larry

Kenneth Hofmann

November 24, 2004

Grace,

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. My family and I offer our condolences to you.

Ken

Janice (Temple) Lagao

November 21, 2004

Oh my. I just heard of Dr. Mahnke's passing. My condolences to his family. Dr. Mahnke delivered my first born in 1972..lights, camera, action! :)What a wonderful experience!

Mary Guernsey

November 17, 2004

I was very saddened to hear of Dr. Mahnke's passing. I had only fairly recently become a patient of his but had known of him since I was about 17 years old. He told me that my Father, Dr. Guernsey, sponsored him into the local medical society so many years ago. I worked briefly in the medical field and remember Dr. Mahnke from that time as feisty and outspoken and quite the character! When I became a patient he was still that way and it was always with a smile that I left his office. I will miss him very much and I offer my love, prayers and condolences to his family and staff.

Kathy (Bartosh) Haak

November 16, 2004

Oh my god what a shock to see my beloved Dr Mahnke's name in the obituaries today! I am saddened at his passing and my heart and condolences go out to his family at this time of sadness.

Dr Mahnke was my doctor from the time I was 16 until I left California in 1991 at the age of 37. He was the only gynecologist I ever went to for 21 years, and was the best damned doctor ever! He saw me through many health issues, and was there for the birth of my beautiful daughter in 1981. Dr Mahnke watched over me as if I were one of his own for all those years. He used to say to me: "hello, ornery!" when I would arrive for my appts. We used to tease each other about getting old, etc, and when he would tease me about getting older, I would remind him that I remembered when he had hair! The office staff would just look at us both as if were crazy. My sincerest, deepest sympathies to you all.

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