Dr. Leslie Louis Lemak

He obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and spent his early career as an engineer at General Motors, with patents still credited to him.

Dr. Lemak graduated from medical school at Wayne State University in 1947, and married his medical school classmate, Noreen, in their freshman year. He then completed his internship and residency in Radiology at Harper Hospital in Detroit.

He entered the Air Force and became Chief of Radiology at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio from 1951 to 1953. While there, Dr. Lemak helped organize the Bexar County Radiological Society. Following his tour of duty, he moved to Houston and became associated with the group Drs. Yates, Lemak, Martin and Keegan Associates.

Dr. Lemak served as Chief of Radiology at St. Joseph Hospital and was President of the Houston Radiological Society and the Texas Radiological Society. He was a pioneer in areas that are now the standard of practice, including fee-for-service radiology and designating a practice as a professional association. He co-authored the By-Laws that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals made a standard for Radiology as a separate specialty, considerations that were extended to Pathology and Family Practice.

Dr. Lemak was a leader at St. Joseph Hospital, serving two terms as Chief of Staff, the founding editor of the St. Joseph Medical Journal where he remained editor for 20 years, and a member of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. He was also instrumental in establishing the annual St. Joseph Hospital benefit show.

In addition to his achievements in medicine, golf was his lifelong passion, enjoying the Texas weather because he could golf year-round. An avid and accomplished golfer, Dr. Lemak was an original investor and charter member of the historic Champions Golf Club where he served on the Board of Directors for over 50 years. He was a competitive amateur player who maintained a single digit handicap for decades. He was Club Champion at Lakeside Country Club, and two-time Senior Club Champion at Champions. Dr. Lemak played in two U.S Amateur Golf Championships, was a two-time qualifier for the National Amateur Golf Association and a qualifier for the National Seniors Golf Association. Even at age 102, he could still be found making his daily visits to the driving range.

His other interests included boating, fishing, painting, real estate and flying, having obtained his pilot’s license in 1958.

Leslie and Noreen had a devoted marriage for 69 years, until her passing in 2013. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sister, Margaret Kozan and brothers Henry and Louis Lemak. He is survived by his three children, Michael Lemak, Margaret Lemak Pfeiffer and husband Bill, and Robert Lemak and wife Valerie. He is also survived by grandchildren, Leslie Pfeiffer, M.D., Allison Pfeiffer, Will Pfeiffer, Robert James Lemak and Matthew Lemak.

The family will gather for a private graveside service at Forest Park Westheimer. Contributions in memory of Dr. Leslie Lemak may be directed to the Noreen A. Lemak, M.D. Fellowship in Neurology at UT Health, P. O. Box 1321, Houston, TX 77251-1321.