John Albert Fetzer

John Albert Fetzer, D.O., age 95, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away quietly at his home December 9, 2015. John was born December 4, 1920 to Albert and Mary Belle (Hurry) Fetzer of Salisbury, Missouri. John received his undergraduate degree from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri and his Doctor of Osteopathy from Kirksville Osteopathic College. He completed his post graduate training at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, where he completed an internship, fellowship in anesthesiology and residency in surgery. He later practiced in general surgery in Detroit and became board certified in thoracic-cardiovascular and general surgery.

After completing a fellowship to study cardiovascular surgery in Rome, Italy, John returned to Detroit and pioneered the first cardiac surgical program at an osteopathic hospital. In May 1965, he performed the first open-heart surgery in the osteopathic profession. Today, John is recognized as the first osteopathic physician to become a specialist in cardiac surgery.

In the early 1970’s, John became professor of surgery at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOOM) and started the profession’s second cardiac surgical program. In 1976, “the John Fetzer Course of Cardiac Assistance” was offered at CCOM. John later went into private practice in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was chairperson of the surgical department and then chief of staff at Palm Beaches Medical Center.

John has received many professional honors during his career. In 1972, he was awarded the first Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) and was a past president (1978-79) of that organization. He received the 1983 ACOS Orel F. Martin Medal for distinguished service to ACOS and the osteopathic profession. In 1994 he was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition, John served as a member of the certifying Board of Surgery for 15 years, received a citation for Distinguished Service from, the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, and served as a hospital inspector for the American Osteopathic Association Board of Hospital. During his retirement, he served as chairperson of the Senior Surgeons Committee of the ACOS.

John was married to Dorothy Jean Lucier September 14, 1946. They were married for 57 years. Dorothy preceded John in death November 2, 2003. Church work and service to others became a high priority in John and Dorothy’s lives. They were long time members of the former Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Lake Park and Gardens Presbyterian Church (GPC) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. John served as Clerk of Session at GPC from February of 2002 until January of 2007. He participated at the 204 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in June, 1992. John was active in his church choir up until 2015. John and Dorothy became very involved with the REACH homeless shelter program of the Center for Family Services in Palm Beach County beginning in 1998. They began volunteering there, answering the phone and generally assisting the clients. By 2000, they had become instrumental in keeping REACH’s new pantry's shelves stocked with food. Through their church, John and Dorothy put together and provided generous holiday baskets of food for the holidays, complete with turkeys for Thanksgiving, and hams for Christmas. And if there were children in the client families, John and Dorothy made sure that they all received toys for Christmas. Today, a bronze plaque at REACH commemorates “Dorothy’s Pantry” for all their generous support.

John is survived by five daughters: Judyth Lynn Meloy of South Port, North Carolina, Janice Lee McMillan of Richmond Virginia, Barbara Jean Nail of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Carol Ann Kunkel of Efland, North Carolina, and Nancy Jo Kimball of Daufuski Island, South Carolina; seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 15, 2016 at Gardens Presbyterian Church, 4677 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider a contribution to the REACH Shelter/Dorothy’s Pantry, 1320 Henrietta Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401.