Dr. Flavio Frank Talens

Frank was born in Manila, Philippines on June 24, 1924. He belonged to a medical family so it was no surprise that Frank had inspirations to become a doctor.

World War II delayed his medical dream. He was a Staff Sargent in the Filipino Army under command of the U.S. Army Forces Far East (USAFFE). He was deployed on many missions for the US Army and was wounded on one occasion. He was operated on by his brother in a field under an Acacia tree.

After the war Frank was sent to the University of Santo Thomas by his brothers to study medicine. He graduated and moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1952 to do his internship at St. Vincent's Hosptital. The young intern married a beautiful young nurse, Mary Lou Forney and started a family.

Frank became interested in cancerous growths and spent a year doing cancer research in Buffalo, NY.

The young doctor felt he owed his new country some service and joined the United States Army. As a Captain in the 3rd Army he was the Chief of Surgery at Fort Stewart. He was promoted to Major and reassigned to the Fresno VA Hospital. Frank resigned his commission and began his private practice in Fresno in 1961.

Dr. Talens established his practice on Divisidero just down the street from Fresno Community Hospital. He was instrumental in starting the Employee Health Center at Fresno Community.

He performed surgeries at St. Agnes, Fresno Community and Valley Medical Center. He earned the reputation as a skilled surgeon in the community. His years as an army surgeon allowed him to envision unique solutions to difficult procedures.

Frank loved the beauty of America and travelled to all 50 states. He was an avid RVer and drove his motorhome cross country numerous times. His last cross country trip he drove was at age 82. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and was an excellent cook.

Dr. Talens could carry a conversation and thought that personal interaction was great medicine. His warm easy going manner helped put his patients at ease.

Surviving Dr. Talens is his wife, Mary Lou; and children, Michael Talens, Rosemary Moakley, Kathleen Talens, Mark Talens; daughter-in-law, Amy Talens; grandchildren, Brittan and Chelsea Edwards, Steven, Trenton and Devin Talens and Marisa Moakley; and great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Alexis and Audrey Edwards.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, on Sunday, November 3, 2013 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 11:00 am.