John Weigel has touched many lives in his long career as a surgeon, teacher and mentor. Weigel was an active MHS student: Student Council , stage crew, class committees and clubs, Science Club President his senior year, and track. After graduating, he was awarded a Summerfield Scholarship to study pre-med at KU. He also completed a BS in biology from KSU in 1950, then earned his MD degree from the KU School of Medicine in 1954. Internship followed,
residencies in radiology and urology, and marriage to his MHS sweetheart, Mary Lou Van Blarcum MHS 1948. His country called. Weigel was drafted to a stellar US Army career: Chief of Urology, DeWitt Army Hospital, VA; Chief of Urology and Surgery U.S. Army Hospital, Zama, Japan; Consultant in Urology U.S. Army;
Far East short Vietnam tour at the 12th Evacuation Hospital, Cu Chi; and Chief of Urology at the Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, Denver, CO. As Director of their Urology Residency Program, he was chosen the outstanding teacher by the Intern Class. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal. On the faculty, University of Colorado School of Medicine, he was awarded the Golden Nephros Award for exceptional Teaching. Retiring from the Army, he returned to KUMC as a Professor of Surgery/Urology, again winning awards for his teaching. He has many published works and he has been elected President of his professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels.