John M. Bardwil

M.D. FACSDr. John M. Bardwil expired peacefully at his home in Olympia, Wash., on February 2, 2002, after a long illness. He was the youngest of eight children born to Michael and Martha Bardwil. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Mary Eileen Mulholland; son Dr. Michael and children (Stephanie and Travis); daughter Elizabeth Gettel; husband Michael, and children (Nicolas, Zach, Mikie and Lauren), of Renton, Wash; son Paul and wife Tzol, of Sacramento, Calif.; and son Mark and wife Kim of Tacoma, Wash. Survivors include a brother Joseph, and a sister Eleanor Thomas of Wheeling, West Virginia.Bellaire, Ohio, located in the Ohio Valley, is known as "The All American Town" since many of the local sports heroes in football went on to become All-American football legends. Dr. Bardwil enjoyed a successful high school football career at Wheeling Central. However, he was destined for the medical profession.Becoming a newspaper subscription contestant awarded him a trip to Washington, D.C. Visiting our National Monuments and Government Institutions inspired a confidence and tremendously influenced his future choices. He would later graduate from Georgetown University on the Potomac in 1952.Due to frequent bouts of illness suffered by his father, who was in the grocery business, and the absence of his older brother, George, serving with General Patton in Europe, during World War II, young John had to miss a lot of school to work in the family business. When his father passed away, he joined the U.S. Army, serving with the Airborne in Japan, where he spent his time off the base helping to harvest crops at a Franciscan Monastery, and considered becoming a monk. The U.S. Airborne wings were always displayed on the wall amid his other diplomas and certificates and he was extremely proud of that distinction.After graduating from the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, Texas, in 1957, and completing a surgery residency at the Veteran's Hospital in Dallas, he was awarded the first Jesse H. Jones Fellowship in Surgery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston.At M.D. Anderson he was privileged to train with a courageous group of surgeons, leb by Dr. R. Lee Clarcke, the founder of M.D. Anderson. They were true pioneers in the treatment of cancer. The staff included Dr. Ed White, Dr. Richard Martin, Dr. John Stehlin, Dr. William G. MacComb, Dr. J. Ballantyne, and Dr. Richard Jesse. He remained at M.D. Anderson several years, training surgery. He remained at M.D. Anderson for several years, training surgery residents, caring for patients and authoring and co-authoring medical literature on the treatment of "Cancer of the Head and Neck."He entered private practice at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Tex., continued teaching surgery residents and writing papers for publication and presentation.Dr. Bardwil spent his final years of practice at the Veteran's Hospital in Miles City, Montana. Surgery residents were transported by small plane from the medical school in Salt Lake City, to a clinic he conducted. With the support of Dr. Don Holt and Jim Huff, Administrator, he was able to direct the Veterans, who had given the country so much to be proud of, to the best possible care for the Surgical Procedures. That became his priority."The Grandoctor," as the grandchildren were reminded to call him, retired in 1998, becoming one of Bellaire's "All American Heroes in Medicine," as well as living an exemplary life. He did all of the things expected of a hero. He performed his duties and honored his commitments to God and the Catholic Church, his marriage vows, his four children, whom he loved with all his heart and supported, inspired and motivated, to do the right thing. He made his parents and his family proud of his achievements. "The Doctor" served his county with pride and honored the Hippocratic Oath. He gave his patients compassionate care, and imparted his surgical skills to young surgeons. He cared for the country's Veterans. He loved his dogs. In the end, he was able to accept his illness with grace, dignity, courage, and prayer.Some very special people will be remembered for making a positive difference in so many people's lives. His legacy in surgery will continue through his son, Dr. Michael F. Bardwil of Houston, and the many surgeons he taught.Dr. Bardwil was a member of The American College of Surgeons, the Harris County Medical Society, the Houston Surgical Society, the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, Southwestern Surgical Congress, the Texas Surgical Society, W.S. MacComb Society, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Associates, and The Texas Medical Association.The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Olympia by Father Don Parea, with interment at the Harstine Island Cemetery on beautiful Harstine, the site of the Bardwil's summer home on Puget Sound.Pallbearers were Dr. Michael F. Bardwil, Elizabeth Bardwil Gettel, Paul Bardwil, Mike Bardwil, Nicolas Nacarrato, Michael Gettel, and Rob Leister.