Raymond ''Jack'' Szmanda, Jr

Dr. Raymond "Jack" Szmanda Jr., 50, 4706 19th Street, Wausau, died Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at Community Health Care Wausau Hospital as a result of a tragic automobile accident. Jack was born February 17, 1952 in Antigo, son of Raymond Szmanda, Sr. and the late Maxine Ann (Orgeman) Szmanda. He married Susan Thurow on December 28, 1974 at the First United Methodist Church in Tomah. She survives. As a Clinical Neurologist, Jack began his education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating in 1975. He graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, after which he returned to the University of Wisconsin, Madison to complete his residency in neurology. He furthered his Neurological study with the completion of a Fellowship in Neuro Muscular Disease at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison. He practiced neurology in the Wausau area from 1984 until his retirement in February of 2001. Jack was very involved in his community. In honor of his parents he established the Ray and Maxine Szmanda, Sr. College Scholarship Fund for Science at Newman High School, and in honor of his wife, Susan's parents he established the Wilbur and Verdene Thurow College Scholarship Fund for vocal music at the Wausau Conservatory of Music. He was a charter member and most recently on the Board of Directors for the Kids from Wisconsin. Jack enjoyed performing and composing music. He loved to cook, fish, ski, garden, SCUBA dive, operate his ham Radio and travel with his family. Above all he was a man of profound Christian faith and he cherished the times spent with his family and friends. Besides his wife, Susan, and his father, Raymond Sr., he is survived by, four children; Katherine Szmanda, DePere, Andrew Szmanda, William Szmanda and Julia Szmanda all of Wausau; six brothers and sisters; Dr. Charles (Margaret) Szmanda, Westboro, MA, Jane Szmanda Zeller, Hudson, Mary Ann (Paul) Summ, Appleton, Dr. Paul (Jeanne) Szmanda, Wausau, Dr. Mark (Deborah) Szmanda, Wausau and Joan (Tom) Burmeister, Cedarburg; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2002 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call Friday, from 4-8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, and again on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. A memorial fund is being established in Jack's name for Science, Music and Education. There will be a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Sixth Street funeral home.