Mannheim Mendel Bocknek

Physician, Father, Animal Lover; Dr. M. (Mannheim) Mendel Bocknek passed away peacefully on Thursday July 18, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 7, 1930 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Samuel and Sophie Bocknek who predeceased him. Mendel was preceded in death by his sister Helen Baker, son Aaron Thomas Bocknek, and Fondalee Eubank Bocknek, mother of his children. He is survived by a son, Lawrence A. Bocknek (fiancé Cherri) of Burke Virginia; a daughter, Cheryle B. Deacon (husband Doug) of Lynchburg Virginia; Grandchildren Anna Catherine Bocknek, Matthew G. Bocknek, Daniel C. Bocknek (wife Christine), William E. Deacon, Brittany N. Deacon, and a sister Riva Cohen.

He attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute high school and was a proud graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Class of 1954. Mendel served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flight Surgeon from 1950-1953 with postings at RCAF Station, Aylmer Ontario, RCAF Station, Goose Bay Labrador and RCAF Station Rockcliffe & AFHQ, Ottawa.

Mendel immigrated to the US in 1954 on a student visa to pursue Post Graduate Studies and became a Naturalized Citizen on July 29, 1965. He did his Internship in Washington DC (1954-1955) and a Surgical Residency (1955-1956). He did his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Indiana Medical Center (1956-1958). Mendel returned to the Washington DC area and settled in the Virginia suburbs.

Mendel begin solo private practice of Ophthalmology at the Falls Church Medical Center in Falls Church Virginia in August 1958. He remained in private practice in various locations until his retirement in 1996.

Being in the right place at the right time, Mendel was a founding physician of The Fairfax Hospital in 1961 and was a credentialed member of the hospital staff until his retirement and maintained his affiliation until his death.

While at The Fairfax Hospital he was instrumental in implementing the first surgical operating microscope used in ophthalmologic surgeries; the first dedicated ophthalmologic surgical suite at The Fairfax Hospital (room #7); the first dedicated ophthalmologic patient floor (7 East—post-op cataract patients stayed for 5 days); the first use of Betadine eye irrigation solution/formula still in use today.

Mendel was one of the four founding ophthalmologists of The Northern Virginia Academy of Ophthalmology in January 1962, of which he served as its president. He was a member of the Virginia Society of Ophthalmology; the Medical Society of Virginia and Washington DC.

Mendel had a love of boating and in April of 1969 he joined the Capital Yacht Club located on Main Ave in Washington DC. He served several seasons as the CYC Fleet Surgeon, and was also on the Board of Trustees during some very important times in the history of the original Yacht Club. He remained active attending meetings and social events until his death.

He was a founding member of the McLean Swim and Tennis Association in McLean Virginia.

Please join us for a Memorial Service/Celebration of Life from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday August 18, 2019 at the Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue community hall, 9501 Old Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015. The Memorial Service will start at 1:15pm followed immediately by the Celebration of Life.. The Memorial Service will start at 1:15pm followed immediately by the Celebration of Life.

Larry and Cheryle express heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Yenis Moreno his friend and caregiver for 10 years, his friend and caregiver Mimi Mamo Habtewolde, Capital Caring Hospice, and caregivers during his final two months, Gladys, Adrianna and Janci for the love and care shown to our Dad. You all are a special group of people.

Please consider a donation in M. Mendel Bocknek’s name to:

Best Friends Animal Society

5001 Angel Canyon Road

Kanab UT 84741

attn: Jonna W.

Or by phone

435-644-2001 Option 5

Or online at:

https://secure.bestfriends.org/page/contribute/memory