JOHN DANIEL GUNDZIK M.D.

JOHN DANIEL GUNDZIK, MD
October 18, 1934 - November 5, 2025
John Daniel Gundzik passed away peacefully at his home. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mike Gundzik and Anna Petrus. John came from very simple means, as his parents immigrated to the United States from Czechoslovakia. His father worked as a steam engine mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and his mother did housecleaning. They also took borders into their home to make extra money to provide for their 3 children. John was the middle son, and very precocious. He quickly mastered playing the violin and breezed through all of his coursework in school. He loved being outdoors, and fondly talked about working as a caddy at one of the local golf courses in Cleveland longing to be able to play, but unable to afford it. He was a Boy Scout and quickly became an Eagle Scout. With all of his activities, he easily made friends, and kept in touch with them throughout his life.
He graduated from high school in 3 years, instead of the standard 4, then graduated from The Ohio State University in 3 years prior to attending medical school at the University of Cincinnati. He met his wife, Patricia Jean Waldman during that time, and they married in 1957. He completed his training in Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic in 1962 and was drafted into the US Army shortly thereafter. He served as a Captain in the US Army and was stationed in France from 1962-1964. Following his time in the Army, he and his young family settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he became a prominent physician and businessman.
He loved New Mexico and took advantage of the beautiful climate. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, running, tennis, hunting, fishing, golf, sailing, and boating, He also learned how to fly, and loved being a pilot, especially in his retirement years. He enjoyed music and continued to play the violin, and later in life learned how to play the piano and compose music, which he did well into his 80's. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved telling jokes, especially dirty ones with his hunting buddies. He loved life, and spending time with his family and friends. Even after his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, he continued his activities for as long as he was able. He enjoyed boxing at POP (Punching Out Parkinson's) which helped him navigate the physical challenges of the disease.
John is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard M. Gundzik, Michael G. Gundzik, and his sister Anna Gundzik, who died in infancy, his wife Patricia, nephew Rick Gundzik, and niece Sharlene Gundzik.
He is survived by his children, Gregory J. Gundzik (Laura), John M. Gundzik (Coleen), and Jeanne A. Rinehouse (Steven), his second wife, Vivian Gundzik, along with stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be held at Berardinelli Family Funeral Home on December 2, 2025. www.berardinellifuneralhome.com. Visitation will begin in the chapel at 10:30AM, followed by a memorial service. There will be a graveside ceremony, honoring his military service, at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM at 1:00PM on December 2, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in John's honor to a charity of your choosing or to POP (Punching Out Parkinson's) https://www.popsantafe.org to help others suffering with Parkinson's disease in Northern New Mexico.
He was a kind, generous, loving and accomplished man, but most of all he was a wonderful father, friend, and husband. We love you dad, and we will miss you. You will be with us in our hearts forever.