John M. Duchak Sr.

Family-Placed Obituary


DUCHAK, John M. Sr., M.D. joined his beloved wife Kathleen and God on Sunday February 18, 2007. He died peacefully at Miami Valley Hospital. He is survived by: his children, Dr. John III (Susanna) of Washington Township; Anne Lang (Edward) of Topsfield, MA; Kathleen Girgis (Nader) of Waynesville, OH; Alicia Bien (Wim) of Los Angeles, CA; and, Rachel of San Luis Obispo, CA; and his grandchildren; Ashley, John IV, Lauren and Gregory Duchak; Morgan, Lucas and Zachary Lang; and, Arielle Girgis. He is also survived by his siblings Barbara Hilgeman, Hope Pepe, David Duchak and Ruth Reinberg. Additionally, John is survived by his beloved brother-in-law Charles "Budd" Hilgeman whom was like an older brother to him. In addition to his wife Kathleen, John was preceded in death by his parents John and Hope and his daughter Angela. Born on July 23, 1938, Dr. John grew up in Dayton. He went to Corpus Christi and after graduating from the University of Dayton, he and his bride moved to Missouri where he attended St. Louis University Medical School. He graduated in 1964 with a M.D. from SLU. He moved his family to Norfolk, VA where he served in the Navy for 2 years during the Viet Nam war. He was Chief Resident at Indiana University Medical School where he completed his residency in Cardiology. In 1971 he moved back to Dayton with his family. He founded the Echocardiography Lab at Miami Valley Hospital. He retired from his medical practice in 2005 and was awarded the Silver Stethoscope. He was a kind man who had a smile, wave or pleasant word for all. His family nicknamed him the "Chatmaster" because of his penchant for chatting with everyone he met. He believed education was the best thing he could give his family. And his family is forever grateful. Dr. John was a softie and his childrens' biggest and best cheerleader. He volunteered to coach his daughter Anne's soccer team back in the 1970s because no one else would. His 'volunteering' guided his wife Kathleen in to coaching that team, "Doc's Jocks", and what would become the start of girl's soccer at Archbishop Alter High School in 1977. Dr. John enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado, listening to Beethoven, seeing Shakespeare plays in Canada, tending his roses, visiting with family, the majesty of Yosemite, getting coffee at Dorothy Lane Market, reading the NY Times, sitting on the front porch, dressing up for Halloween, and most of all, bird watching with his wife and their dear birding buddies Betty and Charlie Berry. Dr. John, Dad, Pa, Grandpa, Papa John, Dr. Duchak, John we love you and thank you for all you have done. Special thanks and love to Budd Hilgeman. Mom and Dad are smiling on you. Thanks also to the staff at Bethany Village, Graceworks Lutheran Services in Centerville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Ave., Centerville. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-7:00 PM at the Routsong Funeral Home, 81 N. Main St. Centerville. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dayton Audubon Society, 1375 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45414-5398; WGUC, Cincinnati Classical Public Radio Inc. 1223 Central Parkway, Cincinnati OH 45214; or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.routsong.com.