Arthur Milton Jansa, M.D. Obituary (1927 - 2019)

Arthur (Art) Milton Jansa, M.D., a retired orthopedic surgeon, died on November 28, 2019 at the age of 92 at his residence at Eagle Trace Assisted Living Facility in Houston, Texas. Art is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Delores Scaff Jansa; their children Gilda Parker, Robert Jansa (Deborah), Bill Jansa, Rhonda D'Eramo (Len) and Sharon Ryther (Mike); seven grandchildren, Traci Lepak (Kevin), Brandon Jansa (Sherry), James Ryther (Chelsy), Joey D'Eramo (Ami), Jennifer Miller (Layton), Jake D'Eramo, and Katy Jansa; six great-grandchildren, Bru Lepak, Case Lepak, Dax Lepak, Bruce Ryther, Logan Miller and Allie D'Eramo. He is predeceased by his parents, his sons, Arthur Jansa Jr. and Rusty Stacks, and his grandson, David Ryther. Art was born in Taylor, Texas on March 1, 1927 to Frank and Lydia Cuba Jansa. He graduated from Taylor High School in 1944, serving as Senior Class President and as co-captain of the undefeated High-Flying Ducks football Team (1943 Regional Champions). He went on to earn his B.A. degree at the University of Texas in Austin. While at UT, he took part in the Navy V-12 program, and received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Art then went to the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, graduating in 1950 with an M.D. He served a 1-year rotating internship at City-County Hospital in Fort Worth, after which he served as an Air Force Physician in Anchorage, Alaska. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Captain. He then entered into orthopedic surgery residency at UTMB Galveston, finishing-up his residency at Shriners Crippled Children's Clinic at Hermann Hospital in Houston. In 1957, Art began his private practice in orthopedic surgery in Houston. He was one of the "Founding Fathers" of Park Plaza Hospital, where he served as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and a member of the Governing Board. Art participated in many organizations & projects including, member of the Texas Medical Association, member of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (1985-1991), President of the Harris County Medical Society (1991), Chairman & VP of the Houston Museum of Medical Sciences & Board of Trustees (1994), Co-Founder and Director of the Texas Czech Physicians Exchange Program, and Co-Chairman for the Houston Capital Campaign Building Fund for the Czech Cultural Center in Houston. Art was awarded the Commemorative Medal of Vaclav Havel, President of the Czech Republic (2001), and the Comenius Award (2003) for his work with the Texas Czech Physician Exchange Program. Before retiring in 2008, Art was an Assistant Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. Art married the love & light of his life, Delores Stacks in 1968, creating a "His', Hers and Ours" family, raising seven children from their previous marriages. Art was an avid fisherman & hunter, and a student of history. Art will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston TX. Art's body is being donated to Science Care. Memorials can be sent to : William Jansa, 8417 Bluegate Street, Houston TX 77025