Dr. Marvin E. Chernosky

Marvin E. Chernosky, M.D. passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, the 15th of August 2010. He was born on the 29th of March 1926 to Martin E. "Sam" and Ellen Margaret Sundberg Chernosky in Austin, Texas. He attended The University of Texas for his undergraduate work until he was called for military service. In World War II, he attained the rank of First Lieutenant in the Medical Administrative Corps of the Army and served in the Pacific Theatre. He then returned to his studies at UT. While at UT, he played the coronet in the Longhorn Marching Band. He graduated with high honors with a B.A. in biology and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He then graduated from Tulane School of Medicine. Dr. Chernosky continued his postgraduate training in both general surgery and dermatology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology.

He practiced dermatology and dermatologic surgery in Houston at the Hermann Professional Building for 40 years and one week. He made many contributions to the advancement of medicine. He was Chief of Dermatology at Hermann Hospital and established the first Dermatology Unit and Consultation Service at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He published papers on many dermatologic subjects and received the American Award of Dermatology. He was actively involved in the American Academy of Dermatology, where he served on the Board of Directors. In 1995, he received the Hermann Hospital Distinguished Physician Award. He also was active as an academician and was associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine and was a clinical professor at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston, where he was founder and chairman of the Department of Dermatology from 1972-1982.

Dr. Chernosky was a member of many medical societies, including the American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (Founding Member, Board Member, and Honorary Fellow), International Society for Tropical Dermatology, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, Southern Medical Association (Chairman-Dermatology Section), Texas Dermatology Society (President), Houston Dermatology Association, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Founding Member), Association of Dermatology Professors, and Sociedad Mexicana de Dermatologia (Honorary Member).

In addition to his professional life, Marvin, or “Doc”, was actively involved with his family and friends. He and his lovely wife, Jean Hancock Chernosky, were avid travelers, often because of medical meetings and other times for pleasure. He enjoyed family camping trips, river rafting, tennis, water and snow skiing, hunting, and spending time at his Hill Country ranch. He was an instrument-rated pilot, logging over 2600 hours of flying time.

He was a longtime member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, a life member of The University of Texas “Texas Exes” and a life member of the “100 Club.” He was also a member of River Oaks Country Club, the Executives Association of Houston, the Kiwanis Club, Lodge #88 S P J S T, and he served as president of the Doctors’ Club of Houston. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Holland Lodge #1. He was also a member of the Arabian Shrine Temple and served as a consultant to Shriner's Hospital. He was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters Court #136.

Dr. Chernosky is survived by his wife Jean Hancock Chernosky and his children, Susan Hancock and her husband Kenneth; Marvin Chernosky, Jr., and his wife, Debra; Jay Chernosky and his wife, Melinda; and Ellen Chernosky Tippetts and her husband David; and by his nine grandchildren: Doug and Scott Hancock, Matt and Kate Chernosky, Tommy and Ellie Chernosky, and John Luke, Sam and Skylar Tippetts. He was predeceased by his parents and by his sister Dorothy Chernosky Crews. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their families. The family wishes to sincerely thank the caregivers of Interactive Healthcare and Houston Hospice who have made Dr. Chernosky’s last months more comfortable at home.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 19th of August, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A celebration of Dr. Chernosky’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 20th of August, at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment and graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Serving as casket bearers during the services are his grandsons: Doug Hancock, Scott Hancock, Tommy Chernosky, Matt Chernosky, John Luke Tippetts, and Sam Tippetts. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Messrs. Jimmy Brill, Hal DeMoss, Bob Giles, Bill Russell, Don Sheffield, Ames Smith, and Wells Stewart.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggests with gratitude that contributions in Dr. Chernosky’s memory be directed to the Houston Area Parkinson Society, 2700 Southwest Frwy., Suite 296, Houston TX, 77098; Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030; or to charity one’s of choice.