Dr. John E. Szewczyk

Dr. John E. Szewczyk, 71, died suddenly at home July 2nd, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 12th, 1946, the son of John and Stella (Piwowarski) Szewczyk. John graduated from Loyola University and went on to attend medical school at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He completed an anesthesia residency at Indiana University before moving to Rockford, Illinois and joining Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated (RAA) in 1976.

John practiced as a board-certified anesthesiologist with RAA until his illness, serving as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia at OSF Saint Anthony and participating on numerous hospital and corporate committees. He also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine and in 2010 received the Department of Surgery Faculty Recognition Award for his contributions as a professor and role model. John was a member of multiple professional organizations including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), serving in the House of Delegates and participating in the legislative component campaigning for physician and patient rights. He was also particularly involved with the Illinois State Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA), holding a variety of offices, chiefly, President, in 2007. In 2012 he received the Distinguished Service Award, conferred for an outstanding contribution to the ISA and/or the field of anesthesiology in the State of Illinois.

John was a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians and regularly attended parliamentary educational sessions across the country. This interest along with John’s attentiveness to detail led him to serve on the Bylaws Committees of organizations like the ASA and ISA. John was driven by a passion and a fervent dedication to championing excellence in patient care throughout his career. He loved his profession and sharing his knowledge with others. John held his colleagues in high esteem and valued his relationships with partners and associates at RAA and OSF Saint Anthony.

John enjoyed traveling to conferences with colleagues and taking vacations with his family. Sanibel Island was a particularly favorite destination. He was an avid shell collector and spent many hours combing the beach for a rare treasure. John also had an interest in magic, model railroading, fossils, and blasting classic tunes on his stereo. He enjoyed engaging those around him in endless philosophical discussions about anything and everything, but John’s greatest joy was doing things for others and spending time with family. He was always eager to help his kids, carpentering projects for grade school fun fairs and maneuvering belongings into the dorm on a sweltering August day.

He is survived by his two children, Catherine and Jonathan; former wife, Cathy (Engaldo) Spencer; sister, Jeanne (Robert) Bykowski; nephews, Michael (Jodi) Bykowski and Daniel (Jessica) Bykowski; nieces, Terese (Matthew) Ketchen and Margaret Bykowski, and several grand nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Stella Szewczyk, and nephew, Mark Bykowski.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 21st, 2018 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Memorials to OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, 5666 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61108 (checks payable to OSF HealthCare Foundation) and Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, P.O. Box 1580, Sanibel, FL 33957 (https://www.shellmuseum.org).

Arrangements completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online condolences and memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com