Jack Lungstrum Obituary

Jack E. Lungstrum, MD

Jack Edward Lungstrum died of natural causes the evening of December 3rd, 2014 at his townhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. Jack was born June 12th, 1921 to Oscar and Bertha (Alexandre) Lungstrum in Topeka, Kansas. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1940 and volunteered for the United States Navy later that year. He served primarily aboard the USS Pensacola, and saw eleven major surface battles including Midway and Guadalcanal, where the ship was torpedoed and badly damaged with great loss of life. After Officer Training at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN, Jack was commissioned an Ensign, USN.

After World War II ended Jack returned to Kansas, where he attended and graduated from the University of Kansas. After college, Jack ran the medical laboratory in Junction City, KS and then the medical laboratory in Quinter, KS. He joined the Rotary Club in Quinter and remained a Rotarian throughout his life. In 1955, Jack married Helen Alice Watson of Topeka.

Jack was accepted into the University of Kansas Medical School in 1955, at the age of 34 and excelled academically throughout his medical school career. He chose to specialize in orthopedic surgery, and served as a resident in orthopedics with Dixon and Dively in Kansas City.

After residency Jack practiced orthopedic surgery in Salina, Kansas from July 1964 to July 1985, when he retired. He was on staff at both Asbury and St. John's Hospitals in Salina, serving as chief of staff of each at different times. He also served as president of the Saline County Medical Association, and was a member of the Council and on the Board of the Kansas Medical Society. He was for many years a coroner scene investigator for the Saline County Sheriff's Department.

During his time in Salina, Jack belonged to Christ (Episcopal) Cathedral, and at various times was active in the Cathedral's choir. He was for many years a choral member of the Bethany College Oratorio Society in nearby Lindsborg. He also was an active member of the ISIS shrine temple, having achieved the 32nd degree in the Masonic order, and the Saline court of the Royal Order of Jesters.

In early 1986, Jack and Helen moved to Sun City, Arizona and thereafter to Fort Collins, Colorado. Helen died in December 1997. Jack remained for a time in Fort Collins, and subsequently moved to Estes Park year-round. In 2008, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife Helen. He is survived by his sons John (Linda Lungstrum) and Richard (Linda Tilton) both of Lawrence, and his daughter Constance Clark of Estes Park, Colorado; by grandchildren Justin Lungstrum (Emily) of Brooklyn Heights, New York, Jordan Blackburn (Tanner) of Severna Park, Maryland, Alison Lungstrum of New Orleans Louisiana, Lexie Clark, Stoley Clark, and Lanie Clark all of Estes Park, Colorado; great grandchildren Ella and Jack Lungstrum, and Owen and Cameron Blackburn; and by Jack's sister Evon O'Brien of Topeka , Kansas and his step brother Garmin Guthrie of Kalispell, Montana.

Jack's mortal remains have been cremated, and his ashes will be interred together with Helen's at the columbarium of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church of Estes Park, Colorado, with a memorial service anticipated in spring of 2015. Memorial gifts may be made to Lawrence Community Shelter, Lawrence, Kansas, C.A.S.A. of Salina, Kansas, the Estes Park Hospital Foundation; the Estes Valley Land Trust. Any gift may be made through Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

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