Douglas J. FECHTEL

1953 - 2016

FECHTEL Douglas J. Fechtel M.D. passed away January 5, 2016 from early onset Alzheimer's Disease. He was 62 years old. Doug was born on December 2, 1953 to Dr. Albert T. Fechtel and Bertha Ann Fechtel. Born and raised in Jacksonville he attended Assumption Catholic School, Bishop Kenny High School, Jacksonville University, the University of Guadalajara School of Medicine and The Medical College of Georgia. He followed his father into General Surgery and practiced at St. Luke's (formerly Mayo) and spent most of his career at Baptist Beaches Hospital. Doug was a member and delegate for the Duval County Medical Society. He was a fellow of The American College of Surgeons and held the positions of Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery during his career, but his patients were the most important and fulfilling part of his years in practice. He truly loved his chosen profession. The little time Doug was not working, he enjoyed a lifelong passion for fishing. Doug was an avid athlete. He played basketball, football and was a long distance runner. He was a peacemaker, with his easy manner he had a natural ability to diffuse any situation and calm the waters of conflict (especially with the women in his house). No one could out work Dr. Fechtel. He was usually the first guy in the hospital in the early mornings and the last to leave (usually in the early mornings). He had a love for the Florida Keys, passed on to him by his parents and spent many happy times there with his own children. He loved the Florida Gators, good wine, snow skiing (flying recklessly down the mountain), and the company of his family and friends. Doug was a patient and willing teacher. His brain tissue has been donated to the Mayo Clinic brain bank for research in the hopes of eradicating Alzheimer's Disease. Hopefully we will continue to learn from Doug for many years to come. He was faithful to his Catholic upbringing and sought refuge in his unshakable beliefs all of his life. Although Alzheimer's robbed Doug of so many things, even in his last days the essence of who he was remained strongly intact-that of a kind, humble, sweet, compassionate and truly spectacular human being; one of God's finest creations. Doug was predeceased by his parents, brother Kenny and his first wife Karen Moody Fechtel. He is survived by his wife Sharon, two strong and loving daughters Alex and Sydney, brothers Tom (Diane), Mark (Patricia), sisters Roslyn Fechtel, Floris (Ray) Singletary, Karen (Tom) Terpko and many nieces and nephews. A mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 545 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach Florida at 1:00 p.m., Saturday January 16, 2016, with Reverend William Kelly as Celebrant. The rosary will be recited at 12:30 p.m. for anyone wishing to participate. Medical professionals are strongly encouraged to attend in scrubs. Fishing shirts are also acceptable attire. We would like to thank Dee Williams for her undying loyalty and love, Geoff Heekin for his commitment to protect Doug's integrity, to Celeste Fitzgerald and Steve Sexton for the Life Enrichment Program which Doug participated in for five years and the Greenhouse Staff for the tender and loving care of Doug for the last year and a half. We would also like to thank Mary Penny R.N. and her army with Heartland Hospice for being Doug's warrior and advocate during the final weeks of his life. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association Central and North Florida Chapter 2180 W. State Road 434 Suite 1100 Longwood, FL. 32779 or online at alz.org. Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home