John William Hengesh

John William Hengesh, M.D. MBA, was born in 1935 to John Lewis Hengesh and Alyce Flath in Escanaba, Michigan. He married Charlene Rehor, an Operating Room nurse, and they were married 71 years. John and Charlene had three sons: John Jr. (an MBA) (wife Karen); James (Ph.D. in Geology) (wife Terri); and, Thomas (Engineer) (wife Julie and daughter Kailee). John was always so proud of our granddaughter, Kailee Rose. She is twelve years old, a straight-A student, active in theatre at school, and plays volleyball.

John is also survived by his brother Bud Hengesh and wife Judy from Washington Island, Wisconsin.

John pursued a career in medicine including four years of pre-medical training at Lake Forest College in Illinois, four years of Medical School, one year of surgical internship, and four years of surgical residency. He then spent two years in the Army stationed at Fort Ord, California. After completing his service, the family returned to Chicago and John completed three more years of training specializing in heart and chest surgery at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital.

Following his years of training, John joined a group of Cardiovascular, Pediatric, and Chest surgeons in Orange County, California. He practiced at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Later, he moved to Palm Springs and practiced at Desert Regional, Eisenhower, and J.F.K. hospitals.

John always valued education and in his 50’s completed an MBA at Redlands University, just because he was interested in it!

John theoretically retired at age 75, but because of his passion for medicine, he continued to work and assist other heart surgeons in the Coachella Valley until he truly retired, two years ago, at age 88. He loved his professional colleagues and helping with the heart patients.

“Jack” always had a passion for airplanes and flying, and enjoyed outdoor adventures including skiing, hiking, and river rafting. He and Charlene both became instrument rated pilots and made four cross-country flights to the Oshkosh airshow in Wisconsin. They rafted the Middle Fork Salmon River in Idaho, and also climbed Mt Whitney, Half Dome (twice), and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Later, as he aged, Jack developed mobility issues making his retirement difficult. We will miss him terribly.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, charitable donations be made to the Living Desert. Their website is livingdesert.org or 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert CA 92260.