1937
2020
Elvin Glenn Zook, MD 1937 - 2020
Chatham, IL—
Elvin Glenn Zook, MD, 83, died on November 24, 2020, at home after dealing with the effects of Parkinson's Disease for over 10 years.
Elvin was born on March 21, 1937 in rural Huntington County, Indiana to Glenn H. Zook and Ruth Barton Zook. His father died when Elvin was 4 years old. With his mother and older sister (the late Martha Z. Burns), he grew up on the family farm with his paternal grandparents.
Elvin met his future wife, Sharon Neher, at Manchester College in Indiana. After accepting her invitation to a Sadie Hawkins event, the rest is history. They were married on December 11, 1960.
Upon graduation from Manchester College in 1959, he attended Indiana University School of Medicine, graduating in 1963. He then began residency training at Indiana University, ultimately becoming qualified and board certified in three surgical specialties: General Surgery (1970), Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery (1970), and Plastic Surgery (1972). During his residency training he also served in the Indiana National Guard. For the next two years, Elvin practiced at Marion County General Hospital in Indianapolis and then spent several weeks volunteering his surgical skills on the Ship Hope in Brazil.
He moved to Springfield, Illinois in June 1973 where he was a founding member of the newly established Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery. This challenge became one of his greatest passions in life. Elvin became Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery in July 1973 and served in this position for thirty-three years.
During his years at SIU School of Medicine until his retirement in 2011, his team trained sixty plastic surgery residents, many fellows in hand surgery and microsurgery, and hundreds of medical students. His former residents now collectively refer to themselves as "Zookies."
Elvin's involvement in Plastic Surgery and medical education extended far beyond SIU School of Medicine. He was a member of thirty-three medical organizations on the local, state, and national levels. He served on the Boards of many of these organizations and was President or Chairman of the following: Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery (1986-87), American Board of Plastic Surgery (1986-87), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (1993-94), Memorial Medical Center Department of Plastic Surgery (1978-1987, 1997-2011). He developed and presented eighty-one Instructional Courses on Plastic Surgery and served as a Visiting Professor sixty-one times where he gave 258 presentations.
In 2004, Elvin was awarded Clinician of the Year by the American Association of Plastic Surgeons. This was followed by an Honorary Award in 2008 from the same organization. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also awarded him a Special Honorary Citation in 2008.
Dr. Zook's life outside of medicine was dedicated to the love he had for his family. Survivors include his wife Sharon and their three daughters: Tara (Gregory) Bennett, Leigh (James) Krueger, and Nicole (Eric) Sommer, plus seven grandchildren and their significant others; Jace Bennett (Caitlin Christensen), Julia Krueger (fiancé, Michael Benjamin), Clare (Logan) Morris, David Krueger (Mallory Rasmussen), Ethan Sommer, Cort Sommer, and Nola Sommer.
Elvin served as Deacon and Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
All those who knew Elvin understood how much he appreciated hunting and wildlife management. He loved deer hunting at the Pike County family farm, elk hunting in New Mexico, and dove hunting over sunflowers he managed at his home. He planted and nurtured hundreds of trees on and around his property, Prairie Oaks. Elvin was an avid reader his entire life, and many people were touched by the books he chose for them as gifts. He was a fascinated student of antiques and enjoyed his collection. He and Sharon traveled extensively, enjoying many river cruises in recent years. Finally, he loved Indiana University basketball, particularly the Bobby Knight era.
The Zook family thanks Carelink and Memorial Home Hospice for their care and support of Elvin during his final months.
A Celebration of Life for Elvin will be held at a future date to be determined.
Memorial gifts may be donated to the Elvin G. Zook Endowed Chair in Plastic Surgery at MMC Foundation, Mail Code 61, 701 N 1st Street, Springfield IL 62781-0001.
The family is being served by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
Please visit lincolnlandcs.com to offer your condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
My sympathies to the family. Dr. Zook put my nose back on my face after a car accident in 1976, thank God for his knowledge and skilled hands.
Julia stevens Jokisch
Acquaintance
December 2, 2020
I was a nurse at SIU surgery in the 80's.Worked with DR. ZOOK many times. We always worked hard & shared many laughs. I have learned so much from him, I am grateful. RIP my friend, you will be sadly missed! NJ
Norma Jean Reeves
Coworker
November 30, 2020
I was a nurse who worked with Dr. Zook in the 80's. We worked hard & always made a good time of it. We became friends & he will be sadly missed. I learned so much from this man, he was brilliant. RIP my friend. NJ
Norma Jean Reeves
Coworker
November 30, 2020
Im an old patient of his, he did my surgery whem i was a baby. Im sorry to hear about him passing away.
Kayla L Avery
Acquaintance
November 30, 2020
Sorry to hear about Dr. Zook's passing, may God wrap his around the family. May god bless his soul. RIP Dr. Zook.
Arshad Naqvi
Friend
November 30, 2020
He was a great man who cared.for a lot of people he. Done my baby daughter cleft lip and the inside.of mouth.so sorry for your lost he in god hands with the angels.
Carol avery
Acquaintance
November 30, 2020
My sincerest condolences to Dr. Zook's family. I was very blessed 39 years ago that Dr. Zook was the surgeon on call at MMC ER. My brother had hit my right eye with a golf club. It required plastic surgery that was pretty delicate yet invasive. I have my eye and very little/noticeable scarring. He had a God given talent and I consider myself very blessed he was there that day to make me whole again. The world lost a great gift but may your family find comfort in the beautiful legacy you left on this world. Rest in heaven good doctor and Thank You
Angel Aston
Acquaintance
November 29, 2020
I worked with Dr. Zook in the early days of the SIU Specialties Clinic. Not only a gifted surgeon, he had a special gift of putting his critically injured patients and their families concerns at ease. In his later years, he created a beautiful wildlife sanctuary, which was also a place of sanctuary for himself and his wonderful family. Although he will be greatly missed, he left his mark on this world in many ways. My deepest condolences to Sharon & family.
Lenore Mullaney
Neighbor
November 29, 2020
Dr. Zook was such a great Doctor. When I was younger he was a household name. Everyone talked so highly of the Dr. Everyone heard of Dr. Zook. Dr. Sommer I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He had to be just so proud of you. Like you were proud of him..My deepest sympathy to your family and you Dr. Sommer. God Bless
Diane Hurrelbrink
November 29, 2020
I am so sorry to hear the about your loss, Dr. Zook was a great man. He more or less saved my life after my accident in 1996. I can remember so many talks and stories he and I had during my recovery. The best one was hearing Dr. Zook tell two other Doctors "Don't tell him he can not do some of the things he use to do." Because after my surgery Dr. Zook told me that I would not be able to do a lot of the things I use to be able to do, so I had to prove him wrong. He definitely will be missed.
Roger
Friend
November 28, 2020
The ultimate professional. Leaving this world much better than he found it.
Mike Sternstein DDS
Coworker
November 28, 2020
I remember Dr. Zook very fondly. When our youngest daughter was bitten in the face by a large german shephard we were frantic. On arriving at the hospital I immediately asked for Dr. Zook due to his reputation and other experiences with him. He did a wonderful job of stitching her face and with great results. He was so kind and considerate to two parents who were frantic. God bless him and your entire family.
Patricia Gietl
November 28, 2020
Tara & Nicole,
Sorry for the loss of your Dad. His obituary shows what a great life he led. He and your Mom certainly did a great job raising you ladies.
Condolences,
-Pete "Butterbraid" Wagner St. Louis, MO
Pete Wagner
Friend
November 28, 2020
To Mrs. Zook & Family,
I am so sorry to learn of El's passing. He was quite a guy and always a joy to be with. I will always treasure my association with El on the SIU Medical School Board. May God bless him and his family. I'msure he is being rewarded in Heaven for all the good he has done on earth.
Patrick J. Forkin II
Carmel, Indiana
PATRICK J. FORKIN
Friend
November 28, 2020
Mr. Zook took care of my father when he had is open heart surgery in 1980 ,he was a wonderful man and for that Im and my family was very Greatful for his service on helping my father . thank you so much .Im so so sorry for the Familys loss he will be missed .
Cynthia Luster
November 27, 2020
Tara, my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. I always appreciated your dad letting me watch his work when I worked in surgery. May your father rest in peace.
John Fleischacker
Acquaintance
November 27, 2020
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