Warren was raised in Chicago and graduated from Luther Institute in 1944. He attended Valparaiso University during its “golden age” as he liked to refer to it, graduating in 1949. From there he went on to attend Northwestern University Medical School, graduating in 1950.
It was at Valparaiso that Warren met his future wife, Dorothy Plinke. They married February 28, 1951. They were just two months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary when Dorothy passed away last December.
Following his internship and residency, Warren volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Reserves at Carlisle Barracks. He attained the rank of captain, received a Citation for Commendation Ribbon, and was honorably discharged in 1957.
In 1958, the couple chose to settle in Wichita, Kansas where Warren established his medical practice in general surgery and was loving father to four children; Lorraine (Lorry), John, Mark and Jim. He was a devout Christian man and active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School throughout his years; helping to establish the church’s grade school, serving on church committees and as president of the congregation, volunteering with Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) and Lutheran Braille Workers organizations among others.
Warren cherished the Boy Scouts, partly because he never had the opportunity to be a scout himself as a youth. He was an active adult leader with Troop 542 at Holy Cross and at the Quivira Council level. He served with dedication and distinction and received both the council’s Silver Beaver Award and the Lutheran church’s Lamb Award. In 2003, he was named a James E. West fellow by the Quivira Council.
Warren was also very active in service with the local medical community, including serving as president of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County (MSSC) in 1969, president of the Kansas Medical Society from 1978 to 1979, a St Joseph trustee and president of the medical staff in 1985, and president of the Wichita Surgical Society in 1987. He also served on the board of directors for the Wesley Medical Research Foundation from 1962 to 1976. He received the MSSC Physician Recognition Award in 1984, and the Wichita Surgical Society Distinguished Surgeon Award in 1990.
Warren served as chairman of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Board of Community Health for an unprecedented four consecutive terms during the 70’s, and it was during his tenure that the Wichita/Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was established.
Among his effects are wonderful, heartfelt notes of gratitude from numerous friends, colleagues and patients that he received throughout his career. Notes of appreciation not only for his medical skills, but for the evidence of his Christian faith in his life, his caring attitude towards others and his genuine concern for his fellowman.
Warren is preceded in death by the love of his life Dorothy and his daughter, Lorry. He is survived by his children John, Mark (Juliet) and Jim (Susan), grandchildren Christopher Ostermann, Jennifer Wagner, Christy (Luke) Kunze, Derek (Katherine) Meyer, Katie Wagner, Robert (Amy) Meyer, Natalie Meyer, and Daniel Wagner, and ten great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Warren will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N Greenwich Rd, Wichita, KS 67206.
Contributions in Warren's memory may be made to Quivira Council Boy Scouts of America, 3247 N Oliver Ave, Wichita, Kansas 67220 US, https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/198; and Cairn Health, Inc., 1530 Oliver #130, Wichita, Kansas 67218 US, https://cairnhealth.org/donate/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Meyer family.
DONATIONS
Quivira Council Boy Scouts of America3247 N Oliver Ave, Wichita, Kansas 67220
Cairn Health, Inc.1530 Oliver #130, Wichita, Kansas 67218
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