Dr. Samuel Bernard Ganz

Dr. Samuel Bernard Ganz (Sam/Papa Sam) died peacefully on May 30, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 95. Born on August 21, 1929, to Samuel Ganz and Alice Burns Ganz, Sam's life was marked by his unwavering faith, his dedication to his family, and his passion for Medicine.
After graduating from Rockhurst College in 1948, Sam completed his medical training at the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1952. In 1953 he and his wife, Cindy, moved their young family to Corpus Christi, where he established his practice first with Dr. Fred Logan and then later with Dr. Tom Chodosh. Sam dedicated 70 years to the practice of Family Medicine (including a busy Obstetrics practice) and to Addiction Medicine.
Sam had a distinguished career. In addition to his medical practice, he served the Osteopathic profession for many years as Speaker of the House of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA), President of TOMA, and Speaker of the House of the AOA. He also served as a member of the Physician Rehabilitation Committee for TOMA and, the accomplishment of which he was most proud, was as a Founder of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. For his service, he was awarded Distinguished Practitioner by the National Academies of Practice in Osteopathic Medicine. In the field of Addiction Medicine Sam served as Medical Director for numerous organizations serving Addiction Counseling and Recovery.
Sam was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus since 1956, and for many years, he and Rhonda were Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion at St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church. In earlier years, Sam sang with the Corpus Christi Harmonaires, a barbershop chorus. Later, with Rhonda, he was a member of Corpus Christi Cathedral Pontifical Chorale. They were also actively involved in the Bishop's Guild, the Art Museum of South Texas Collectors Club and were Patrons of the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra.
Clearly, Sam's interests were considerable. He loved books, art, and music and found great pleasure in travel. With Rhonda, he shared wonderful times with a large community of friends and together they created many special memories with their family.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Dr. Richard Ganz and wife Doris; sons-in-law John Litterer and Cliff Couch; a great-grandson Michael William Kuper II; and by the family's much-loved Cindy (Ganz) Hight.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Rhonda, and by children Mary Ganz (Robert Schoen), Marti Couch, Marcia (Rick) Kuper, Michelle (Dixon) McKinzie, Miriam Litterer (Don Cardwell), Sam Jr. (Olya), Jeanne (Bill) Kee, and Judi Ganz (Leo O'Brien). He is further survived by 49 grandchildren including spouses, 45 great-grands, 3 great-great-grands, and by nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
Special thanks to Dr. Victor Trevino and Dr. Jude Aririguzo for their supportive and compassionate care during Sam's illness.
Please consider donations to St. Andrew by the Sea Catholic Church. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Samuel, please visit our floral store.