Laszlo Makk M.D.

MAKK, LASZLO M.D., 78, of Louisville, died April 9, 2011 at the Palliative Care Unit at Baptist Hospital East.

Dr. Makk was born on April 16, 1932 in Gyórszentmárton Hungary located 65 miles west of Budapest in the foothills of Pannonhalma. He is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Cooke Makk, his parents Istvan and Ilona Simon Makk, his sister Zsuzsanna, and his brother Tibor Makk.

Dr. Makk started his medical studies at the University of Medical Sciences in Budapest.

After escaping to the United States during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, he obtained his medical degree from Albany Medical College. He went on to work as an intern under the world-renowned heart surgeons Drs. DeBakey and Cooley at the Texas Medical Center in Houston where he remained to complete his residency in pathology. It was in 1964 that he moved his family to Louisville to pursue an illustrious 40-year career in pathology and medical research as director of Pathology at St. Anthony Hospital.

He took great pride in creating and working with his staff at the Physicians Service Cooperative.

Dr. Makk is survived by sons, Dr. Laszlo J.K. Makk (Ginger), Dr. Stephen P. Makk (Melissa) and Christopher L. Makk (Carolyn), all of Louisville and Andrew F. Makk (Catherine) of New York City. His legacy will be carried on as well by his beloved grandchildren, Laci, Lucas, Sophia, Olivia, Davis, Hunter, Marshall, Matthew and Hannah. In addition he is survived by a sister, Veronica Nemeth (Laszlo), of Ketchkemet, Hungary.

A devout Catholic, he was a member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. He was a Fellow in the College of American Pathologists as well as a longtime member of the Greater Louisville Medical Association, the Kentucky Medical Association, Rotary Club of Louisville, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and Big Spring Country Club. Dr. Makk received many awards recognizing his professional achievements and commitment to community service and his country. These include the American Hungarian Foundation "Abraham Lincoln Award", the Daughters of the American Revolution "Americanism Award", and the St. Anthony's Medical Center "Distinguished Service Award." He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends on his farm in La Grange and at his home in Palm Beach. He was known for his ability to turn adversity into opportunity, and instilled in his children the belief that as Americans, every day is Thanksgiving. Dr. Makk just published his memoir entitled "A Doctor's Journey: A Hungarian's Realization of the American Dream." A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at noon Saturday, April 16, 2011 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 639 S. Shelby St., with interment at Cave Hill Cemetery to follow. Visitation will take place from 1 - 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2011 at Highlands Family Owned Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.

The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the many doctors and medical professionals that have seen Dr. Makk through a variety of health challenges. These include Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon Dr. Ruud Krom and Louisville physicians Dr. Janet Smith, Dr. Matthew Jung, Dr. Ramsey Nassar, and Dr. Patrick Williams. Deep appreciation is also extended to Shirley, Antoinette and Sherif with Home Instead for providing such attentive and personal care at home these last few months. Many heartfelt thanks as well to the fantastic staff at Baptist Hospital East.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial donations be made to: Carmelite Monastery, 1740 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205, (502) 451-6796; Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, 106 E. Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, (502) 581-9511, www.kyorgandonor.org; American Cancer Society, 701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40203-1916, (502) 584-6782, www.cancer.org