Dr. John Thomas Wiegenstein
April 22, 1917 - May 3, 2013
Obituary
John T. Wiegenstein, M.D.
Born April 22, 1917 in Butte, Montana; died May 3, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of thy Lord!”
John Thomas (known as Jack to family and friends) was born to Henry and Mary Ellen Wiegenstein in 1917 and was soon joined by sisters Mary Rita and Jean. Strong bonds among the three siblings and with their mother were reinforced when Henry died at a relatively young age in 1928. Jack took very seriously his father’s direction to look after his mother and his sisters; being the “pater familias” and looking after others defined him from his early teens on.
Jack entered the University of Montana in 1937, pursuing majors in bacteriology, chemistry and pre-medicine. He graduated in June of 1941 with a gold medal in science, one course short of a fourth major in mathematics. Jack applied to medical school, and was accepted at Harvard University. Helped by family and friends, Jack left for Boston with a modest sum in his pocket, augmented by waiting on tables and working as an air raid warden at Little Brown. His medical studies were accelerated due to the Second World War, and Jack graduated Harvard Medical School towards the end of the war with a commission in the U.S. Army.
It was during his medical studies in wartime Boston that Jack met his future wife, Louise Sheldon, then a medical student at Tufts University. John and Louise were married on October 7, 1945. They moved to Seattle in 1947, and welcomed the first of their five children in 1949. Jack joined The Polyclinic (then a group of four or five doctors), and began a long career practicing internal medicine. He was known for his diagnostic gifts and engagement with his patients. Some likened him to that 1970s’ TV icon “Dr. Welby,” the family doctor everyone wished they had. Work and family left Jack little time for hobbies, but he loved playing tennis and was known for his devilish drop and slice shots. Fishing was another passion (following in the tradition of his dad), although the fish usually escaped unscathed.
Upon leaving the Polyclinic at 70, Jack worked for Boeing Medical part-time for five years and then truly retired. He and Louise travelled, and continued to play tennis into their eighties. When his sisters Rita and Jean, and then wife Louise were ill in the last years of their lives, Jack was a loving and devoted care-giver. Jack was able to live independently into his 96th year, and continued to take an active interest in his family and friends, politics, and the stock market. During the last months of his life, staff at Helping Hands and Skyline at First Hill provided compassionate care and support, for which the family is very grateful.
Jack will be greatly missed by his children Mary, Jane, Ann (Scott), Margaret, and John (Laurie); grandchildren Andrew Fleischman (Bobbi Jo), Laura Soden (Steve), and Grace and Emma Wiegenstein; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews John, Mark, Greg, Tony and Phil L’Esperance, Jean Rose, Rob Sheldon, and Susan Allender; his cousin Father Tom Kuykendall; his sister-in-law Lois Sheldon and Louise’s cousin Jane Rogers; other members of the extended family; and many dear friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 11, at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 PM on Thursday, May 9, at Bonney-Watson on Capitol Hill. Friends and family are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook at http://www.bonneywatson.com. Both Jack and Louise believed in education as the key to success, so remembrances may be made to the higher education institution of your choice to benefit deserving students who lack the financial means to pursue their dreams.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Wigenstein at Skyline while visiting my mother, who also just passed away. My condolences to his family. He was very proud of his kids!!! 🙂
………the memories live on !
My Mom and Dad, Margaret and Barry Brugman, knew John and Louise Wiegenstein for many years and held both them in so very high regard. I know you all must be suffering right now in his loss. He had a great spirit.
With my sincere condolences, Barbara Brugman
blbrugman@columbus.rr.com
I send loving wishes and my sympathies to each one of the family! I remember the Doctor so fondly – both for his medical care and his humor. I can imagine all that he suffered in the loss of his dear Louise even years before she passed away. What a beautiful reunion they must now be enjoying. May each of you know his love and care for you now as you prepare to lay him to rest. I wish I could be with you this Friday and Saturday for the Doctor’s services. Please know I will be united with you in spirit at John’s rosary and funeral at the Cathedral. May he rest in peace – home at last!
With my love,
Claire
You will always be in our thoughts and prayers and memories
forever.
I was just a ward secretary at Cabrini Hospital, working my way through Seattle University, but I recall his compassion for his patients and kind regard for all the staff. Oh, and his love for tennis! My deepest sympathy to the family.
My distant cousin, my friend and fellow genealogist. We have so many memories of shared families and ancestors. I will miss him deeply but am so thankful we had the time and experiences that helped us to bond in the search of Wiegenstein ancestry. My prayers are with the family. Your father, grandfather,has a warm frendly spot in my heart. God Bless.
Dear Family,
We send our sincere sympathy to Dr. Jack’s daughters and son. We loved our times of sharing with your Dad and always felt privileged that he had time to spend with us on the phone calls or visits that we made to see him. He was a very special and caring person.
We will be with you all in our thoughts and prayersl during his services. God bless. Love, Mary Flo and Bill
Doctor Wiegenstein was the “Brothers’ Doctor” for many, many years for the Irish Christian Brothers stationed at O’Dea High School. The Brothers always spoke of his great care and affection that he had for the Brothers. He will be remembered in the thoughts and prayers of the Brothers Community. May God grant him eternal rest and give peace and consolation to his family
Br. John Greenan, Community Leader
Christian Brothers, O’Dea High School
Dear Margo and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Claire and Jae