IN MEMORIAM
Dr. John Michael Geesbreght, MD, FACEP

TCEP Past President,1977-78
Ft. Worth

Dr. John Michael Geesbreght departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019.  He was President of TCEP 1977-1978 and contributed so much to the association, and the emergency medical profession.

MEMORIALS:
In lieu of flowers, please honor Dr. Geesbreght by donating to:

*The North Texas Ace Foundation (NTAF). NTAF was founded by John's friend and business partner, Dr. Compton Broders. NTAF exists to improve human healthcare and animal welfare -- two things John cared deeply about;

*Texas Health Resources Foundation;

*Christ Chapel Bible Church, specifically in the area of Christian Leadership Development, which was important to John.

John Michael Geesbreght was born April 29, 1944. In 1965, John graduated from the University of Illinois, Navy Pier in an accelerated pre-med program with a major in history and a minor in biology. He earned his medical degree from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in 1969 followed by his Master's of Science in physiology from Loyola. After performing his fellowship in the National Institute of Health's Department of Physiology, John interned at Michael Reese Medical Center in Chicago from 1970-1972. John's love of emergency medicine and natural business acumen merged in 1974 when he formed Emergency Medicine Consultants (EMC), which contracted with hospitals and physicians to provide emergency medicine services. Over his 45-year career, John served as a practicing emergency medicine physician and CEO of EMC. But his true professional love was serving as the medical director at Texas Health Fort Worth hospital for an unprecedented 45 consecutive years. It was in this role that he felt he had the privilege to lead, teach, and advocate for "his docs." One of John's great joys came from his relationships with those physicians. Despite simultaneously performing three distinct professional roles, as well as serving on countless boards and community-focused councils, John always made time for his friends and family. In fact, John seemingly made time for everything. He enjoyed playing nearly every sport imaginable, and excelled at racquetball, ice hockey, and snow skiing (he was not good at golf). He raced both dirt and street motorcycles; he was an accomplished pilot; and he played numerous musical instruments, including the piano, trumpet, trombone, and banjo. John was an avid reader, amazing teacher, and dog lover. He loved life and living. Really living. He loved to tell stories, and he laughed the loudest at his own jokes. And he loved cars. Fast ones. He loved to drive them, study them, and just marvel at their beauty. John was known and considered by many to be one of the most generous people they had ever met. In addition to countless and often unknown acts of kindness to those in need, he gave freely of his heart, soul, mind, wisdom, and time wherever and whenever he had an opportunity. But mostly, John loved his family. There was not a conversation with John where he didn't talk about his wife, Priscilla, or brag about his kids or grandkids. He loved traveling with his family and exposing them to experiences, which he valued over "things," as he called them.

SURVIVORS:
John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Priscilla; his children, Andrea (Tom Von Ruff), Alexander (Carey), Andrew (Chelsea), and April (Trey Cushman); grandchildren, John (16), Joseph (14), Vivian (13), Lilliana (9), Emmylou (7), Olive (5), EverCrew (1), Westyn (4wks); mother-in-law, Sylvia Thompson; sister-in-law, Beverly Thompson; nieces, Jodi Johnson, Becky Phillips; and nephews, Eric Thompson and Dwight Thompson.

Our heartfelt condolences to all of you who knew Dr. Gessbreght. He will be missed as he touched many lives.