Today's Featured Biography

 
Kenneth Nachtnebel, MD

I am deeply indebted to Jim Knauf's recent communication which gratefully introduced me to the Class website. The reacquaintance to you after all of these years has been a most enjoyable reunion.
I attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, graduating in 1963. I attended St.Louis University School of Medicine and graduated in 1967. I spent six years in surgical residency at the St.Louis University Group of Hospitals,finishing in 1973. During my residency,I had the distinct honor and privilege of participating in the first cardiac transplantation performed in St.Louis. For 10 months I practiced in the LaSalle-Peru area. I chose to move on to Evansville, Indiana, where opportunity allowed me to better apply my training. I joined the Evansville Surgical Associates, Inc. in May, 1974. I was the 6th member of the group. Today the group numbers 20 surgeons. During my practice, I did general, vascular, and thoracic surgery. I was board certified by the American College of Surgeons in 1974.
I retired in Dec., 2010, having practiced for 36 years in Evansville. My lovely, energetic, beautiful wife and I enjoy working in our yard. We enjoy movies and I enjoy reading. We are the proud "parents" of four Yorkshire terriers; they have proved that we are trainable. In addition, we enjoy spending time with our grandchildren.
I have found myself reminiscing about people and events from the past, this due either to an abundance of free time or advancing age----probably a combination of both. Having ventured into my twilight years, and, having thought about the Bio (which "Smog" Smania so affectionately referred tp as an Obit), it gives one pause to reflect upon one's legacy--the footprints, as it were, that he or she will leave behind. Life gives us several opportunities to make decisions; sometimes we excel and sometimes we fail…..but then, that's life. Our class has notably left a trail of accomplishments that reflect a substantial commitment by our generation.
It has been a good ride, but since retiring, I have realized one regret which commitments, responsibilities,and rigors of obligations robbed me of----that of maintaining relationships that had been established in our high school years. Life tends to decimate those relationships because of the various paths down which we have been led. The years have so mysteriously disappeared in a flash, when it seems just like yesterday that we interacted in those hallowed halls.
I have also had the opportunity, while participating in the trials and tribulations suffered by humanity (some of which are accidental, some non-accidental, and some truly unfortunate) to conclude that there are basic truths that are intimately involved with this struggle that we call life. There is a God; love should be cherished along with personal relationships; the human spirit can rise to levels that most of us do not confront (thankfully) but can admire; one's health is a gift not to be abused, because without it, everything else pales; and in all issues, truth should be sought. There are others but I will not bore you any further with this diatribe.
Finally, my heart is saddened by the loss of our fellow classmates and my prayers go out to those they loved and were left behind. My best to you all----stay healthy----perservere and "Thanks to you all for the memories."

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