John J. Hugus M.D.

John J. Hugus M.D., age 57, Wausau, passed away Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after a courageous 17 year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born March 1, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, son of Floyd and Jean (LeTourneau) Hugus. On July 20, 2013, he married Robin Nye in Wausau. She survives. John graduated from Dartmouth College, Magna Cum Laude in 1978 and earned his M.D. from University of North Carolina School of Medicine in 1982. In 1987, he completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Iowa followed by a fellowship in Spine Surgery at University of Vermont, Hammersmith Hospital in London, England and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia. John practiced medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, Spine Care Specialists of Wisconsin where he served as Medical Director and most recently as Chief of Surgery at Aspirus Spine and Neurosciences Institute, Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was a member of Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, North American Spine Surgery, Blount Schmidt Spine Study Group, International Spinal Injection Society, American Medical Association, Wisconsin State and Marathon County Medical Societies, Scoliosis Research Society and Fellow, American College of Surgeons. John was not only a highly skilled and respected surgeon but a loving and loyal family oriented man. John was a lover and giver to all who knew him. He was always known for the best hugs and a smile that would light up any room. John liked to be known for who he was not what he did, when asked about his occupation he would answer "janitor" rather than a spine surgeon. His humor touched every relationship and enhanced his love of life. John enjoyed biking and was a high school collegiate swimmer. He was an avid cross country skier who founded the Knicker Nordic Ski Club, coached both the Wausau West Ski Team and Junior Olympic National Ski Team and served as secretary of the Central Wisconsin Skiing Association. Over the last several years John helped organize the Junior Olympic Qualifiers at Greenwood Hills Country Club. He also enjoyed canoeing in which he won multiple National Champion Marathon Canoe Races. John was an inspiration to many and worked hard so others could achieve success. Survivors include his wife, Robin, Wausau; children, Ellyn Hugus, Wausau, Benjamin Hugus, Marquette, Michigan, and Mark Hugus, Wausau; step-children, Emily and Tyler Gilles, both of Wausau; his parents, Floyd and Jean Hugus, South Bend, Indiana; brothers, David Hugus, Wausau and Stephen Hugus, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Hugus. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2013 at Nine Mile Forest, Ski Chalet, 8704 Red Bud Road, Wausau. Rev. Dee Talley will officiate. Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, and again on Friday following the services at Nine Mile Forest. Memorials may be directed in John's name to the Knicker Nordic Endowment Fund, 3800 West Wausau Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401 Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com