John Raymond Ibach Jr.

IBACH John Raymond Ibach, Jr., died peacefully on September 11, 2005 following a lengthy illness. He was born on August 22, 1933 in Massena, New York and was the son of John Raymond and Margaret Rodger Ibach. He graduated from Hamilton College (1955) and the University of Rochester School of Medicine (1959). He was appointed Chief Resident at Philadelphia General Hospital, and later, a Fellow in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Florida, Gainesville. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Ibach was Instructor of Surgery at the University of PA School of Medicine and Clinical Instructor in Surgery at the University of Florida. As a Major in the US Army Medical Corps, he served with the 45th Surgical Hospital, 36th Evacuation Hospital, Vietnam from 1968 -1969. Dr. Ibach was a past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (1980-82), the Florida Thoracic Society (1985-87), and the Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (1987-89); He served as Chairman of the Northeast Florida Advisory Board of the Florida Lung Association (1977-79), and the Northeast Florida Chapter of the American Heart Association (1978). Additionally, he was a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Duval County Medical Society, Northeast Florida Heart Association, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.A compassionate and deeply caring human being, Dr.Ibach made medical mission trips to Haiti, Jamaica, and Ghana, and served on the Board of Directors of the DCMS International Health Volunteers. He was an Elder at Riverside Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of Trustees of Riverside Presbyterian Day School. Other civic affiliations included the Florida Council for Clean Air, the Committee of 100 - Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the Delius Association, the American Music Advisory Council of Jacksonville University, the Board of Directors of the St. Johns River City Band, the Board of Directors of the Riverside Fine Arts Association, and president of the Board of Directors of Body & Soul. John Ibach was a truly gifted jazz pianist. His philanthropic contributions, and his thoughtful participation in all areas of the performing arts made him one of Jacksonville's “treasures”, Whether to benefit an organization or to celebrate friends' or families' birthdays, or to entertain informally, John generously shared his talent. Jazz was his fortŽ and he played with a number of Dixieland bands throughout his life. For him, music was therapeutic, beneficial, endlessly fascinating, and worthy of lifelong passion. John Ibach personified kindness and gentleness. The brilliance of his personality, his compassion and his generosity came through in his smile as well as his hands. He was beloved and respected by his patients, and deeply loved and cherished by his family. He left only one statement of how he wished to be remembered - "He was a very kind and gentle person." How greatly he will be missed by all whose lives he enriched with his presence and his music. Dr. Ibach is survived by his wife, Stephanie Scott Ibach and by his children and grandchildren: Karen Ibach Bowden, husband Jeffrey and son Alex; Dr. Michael Ibach, wife Marcy and children Carly and Ben; Kristin Ibach Owen, husband Anthony and children Kaleigh and Kendal; John R. (B.J.)Ibach, wife Lori, and children Hailey and Cameron; David H. Ibach, wife Maria, and children Allison and Catherine;Eve Edwards Fairchild, husband Dennis and children William, Grant and Luke. He is also survived by his brother, Rodger Ibach and wife Lynda, and Catherine Poole, mother of his children, as well as a large extended family of beloved neices, nephews and cousins. The entire Ibach family extends their deepest appreciation and love to Dr. Ibach's compassionate and gifted caregivers with ATS Health Services, Dr. Sue Leger-Krall and the staff and employees of River Garden and to Mr. John Joyner, our never failing friend and true servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. The family requests that donations be made to Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204 and River Garden, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32258. Dr. Ibach's Memorial service will be Thursday, September 15, 2005, 11 a.m. at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Officiating ministers are Dr. W. Stephen Goyer, Dr. Daniel Thomas and the Reverend Carol DiGiusto. Arrangements are by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com