Tributes to Dr. John Munshower
By Donna McCarty
On, January 1, the Eagle Creek Park Sunday birding group received the shocking news that Dr. John Munshower had unexpectedly passed away. John was a long-time, regular attendee of these Sunday gatherings. He was beloved by all and deservedly so. He freely passed out medical advice, generously gave rides to another birder who had no car, and picked up fried chicken to share with the group. John was a generous supporter of the ABAS Birdathon and participated for many years on the Community Hospital team. All of us in the birding community have suffered the great loss of a dear, sweet, kind, funny, thoughtful, intelligent man.
Tributes to John came flooding in. Following are some of the comments by those who will forever miss birding with John.
From Laurie Voss:
I have been in shock like so many and grieve the loss of a wonderful, kind, and caring man. I will miss his smiling face, our conversations, and gentle presence. I believe John possibly saved my life. I was visiting another doctor in his practice when John walked past the door and saw me. After listening to my plight, he said, “kid, do you want to go into the hospital?” I did and he admitted me. He “heard” me and cared. I received the care I needed because of him. John always asked about others — how is your family, your kids, your grandkids, etc. With all he has been through these past years, his focus was always outwards not on himself — selfless and caring. My prayers go out to his wonderful family who I know he loved so dearly and I know they loved him as well. May God comfort them in their time of grief.
From Barbara Jablonski:
This is devastating news. Our hearts are broken and go out to his family. John Munshower was a kind and generous man and a friend to birds and birders. Every Sunday at Eagle Creek he greeted everyone with a kind word and a question about your week, your bird of the day or a bit of sly humor. There was additional joy when any of his many family members joined the outing. The entire family adopted all of us and folded us under their wings of care and community. John was also a member of the Community Hospital Birdathon team helping with fundraising for birds and their habitat every year. As a tribute to John feel free to donate to a bench in his memory at the Eagle Creek Park Skating Pond. Contact the Eagle Creek Park Foundation for the process.
From Paula Lupina:
Ted and I enjoyed many conversations with John at cookie time or when we crossed paths in our cars birding on Sunday. We were thrilled when John contacted us because he and Marcia would be in Las Vegas (John had a conference). We picked them up and had dinner just off The Strip. Then I drove them down The Strip so they could see it all. We took them to one of our favorite places to take visitors, the Conservatory at Bellagio. Marsha and John loved it and they were glad we made the stop. It was such a pleasure to spend time with them — excellent conversations and many laughs. A true loss, so glad I have this special memory. I like to think my Ted and John will meet up and have a fantastic birding adventure.
From Kathy Broshous:
Such a kind, kind man! Will truly be missed.
From Wendy Kindig:
Very sad. He was always thoughtful, considerate, upbeat person. He will be missed.
From Bob Magnuson:
It was great when he was with us and so sad that he’s gone
From Anne Cecere:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss. When I worked at OC, I saw him almost weekly and he always had kind and encouraging words for me. He knew the people that lived in the Hideaway before the reservoir and helped me to piece together some of the history of that building. I think that he was one of those people who was a friend to everyone who knew him.
From Douglas Sherow:
The loss of John Munshower is a loss of a great friend to all of us, and especially any of us who had the honor of birding with this esteemed, thoughtful, gentle fellow human being. John was a TRUE gentleman. His concerns and interests were always outward with opportunities to be of service to your health and wellbeing. He never complained about his own maladies unless you pursued him about them, and then tended to minimize them. He was an excellent and helpful birder. He had a realistic outlook and a positive, realistic opinion of life regardless of current circumstances. He left this world better off than he found it, and we are all fortunate to have been acquainted with him, and enriched by his presence.
From Bill Murphy:
This is indeed crushing news. My heart breaks for Dr. John’s family and for all of us in the birding community. Since the early 2000s John had been my after-hours, behind-the-scenes ombudsman for fast access to MRIs and the like and was my trusted advisor for the best specialists in the area for neurological diagnoses. He was someone I never anticipated losing. I’ll remember him as a gentle, kind, unassuming, immensely generous, thoughtful, lovable fellow. April and I will remember him always.
From Greg Silver:
He was a great human being, was there for me in my political efforts and on concussion cases. He was all of that and a great doctor. We will always remember him as an example of the best of humanity.
Dr. John Thomas Munshower
A man of dignity
A man for others
A man for his family
A man for medicine
A man for kindness
A man for the Earth
A man for Birds
A man to be missed
Greg Silver, January 2023
From Greg Steffen:
I knew John for 40 years having worked with him at Community Health. Years ago we became birding buddies. I am so sorry for Marcia and his family. I will miss him. The Community family will really miss him. A prince among men. I worked at Community Health with John from 1979 until I retired in 2018. He was always a gem to work with. While being very clinically wise, he was always kind and respectful of his patients and staff. He was one of the most compassionate physicians I ever worked with. Over the years we became great friends and birding pals. In the 90s, he would help me with the Indiana Audubon Society’s summer bird count. He always made time to help me. I feel privileged to call him a friend and will miss him very much. When I learned of his death, I shared this sad news with the Facebook page of the Community East Emergency Department, and I had over 50 responses back. They all basically said the same thing: “kind, respectful, my favorite physician.” He will be missed by scores of physicians, nurses and, of course, the birding community. Thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts about our friend, John Munshower.
Thank You to Those Who Donated to ABAS in John’s Name
David Diaz, MD – I’m donating in the grateful memory of a great friend, John Munshower, who taught me to be myself. Who inspired me to study nature as well as encourage my psychiatric career back when it was not cool in our community.
Joseph Henderson – A gentle soul and a friend.
Laurie Voss – In memory of a dear friend, great birder, and kind and loving man.
Nancy Lorenzano – A lovely and caring soul with a beautiful Family.
Maureen & Joe Simon, Becky & Frank Visconti & Family, Shaleen & Bill Brewer & Family, Justin & Marisol Delaney & Family – In loving memory of (Uncle) John Munshower.
April Addleman on behalf of Schultz & Pogue in memory of Dr. Munshower
Diane VandeBosche and the Family of June Turner Dinn
Wayne Kendrick
Dr. Jamie Street
Barbara & Paul Jablonski
Ted & Cindy Meyer
Bernadette Steele
Joni Schneider
James & Kristi George
Donna Hostettler
Jeanette Battista
Robert Rabbitt
Dr. Frederick & Paula Tolle
John McHenry
Ellise Hayden
S Barron Lipsay
Annette Doherty
Zoe Flanagan
Bassam Helou
Lisa Bright
Victoria Barbadoro
Monica Mazda
Sherenaz Mazda
Manuel & Sally Debono
Gordon Mclaughlin
Donna & Don McCarty
Erin Maude
Peggy Harger-Allen
Nikki and Rob Tepper
Jeff & Jenn Schimmelpfennig
Kristen Schimmelpfennig Hope
John Leone
Selma Kendrick
Ann Warden
Lynn & Beth Eikenberry
Elaine Shea
Lisa Kaminsky
