Vera Soudek M.D.

Vera Ludmilla Soudek was born on December 25th, 1932, in Brno, Czechoslovakia. She was the oldest of three daughters and a son born to Josef Svatek, director in Brno City broadcasting station, and his wife Marie Svatkova. Her father was an accomplished actor and director, decorated for his achievements especially in broadcasts for young children. As a teenager Vera participated in school theater plays and various cultural events.

After first attending a high school for girls she joined a mixed gender school where she met Milos Soudek, her future husband. At the tender age of sixteen it was love at the first sight for both of them. Since that very first moment, they have never been separated, and their love and mutual respect was strong and deep lasting for 67 years of their mutual lives.

Vera and Milos were schoolmates in the last three years of high school, attending the same classes, meeting early in the morning on the way to school, sitting in the same classroom, studying together in the afternoon and regretting that they had to go to their separate homes in the evening.

After graduating from the high school, Milos wanted to study chemical engineering. Although she was not particularly interested in math and applied science, Vera decided to join him in the chemical engineering studies fearing that being separated for most of the day would be unbearable for both of them. Unfortunately, because of the political situation in Czechoslovakia at that time (socialist, soviet dominated government) the university was suddenly converted into a military academy. The new military orientation of the school was not acceptable to Vera. But, for various political reasons, at that time it was impossible for Vera and Milos to switch to a different university.

Vera managed to leave the military academy, and after a short break she was accepted into medical school.

Vera had a natural sense and understanding for children’s needs. In the medical school, she specialized in children’s diseases, and graduated as a pediatrician in 1958.

Vera and Milos could not take the separation for most of the day because of their different career paths, and decided to get married in 1953, even long before their graduation. This made it possible for them to be together at least in the evenings and nights.

Vera loved children and was longing to have a child of her own, even though knowing that caring for a baby during the last years of her medical studies would be difficult. The first son, Milos jr., was born in 1957, and with the help of her family she successfully completed her studies. The second son, Ales, was born in 1959.

Vera worked for number of years as a pediatrician in the city children’s hospital. The combination of her medical skills and her sensitive attitude to children made her a much liked physician.

When her husband got a contract to work for the Iraqi Oil Ministry, she took a break from her profession and moved with the family to live in Baghdad for two years.

Upon returning to Czechoslovakia in 1968, she rejoined the city children’s hospital. The oppressive regime in Czechoslovakia at that time did not allow its citizens to freely emigrate. Despite of that, Vera and Milos managed to leave the country, and settle in England. Unfortunately, there was no pediatric ward in the place where they lived. Vera had to switch to ENT and became a successful ENT surgeon.

In 1979, Milos was offered a job in Houston, TX, and the family moved there. At that time, Vera was ready to retire from the profession and was happy to take care of the family, substantially helping Milos to carry on with his demanding job.

Vera has lived a happy life helping and supporting everyone without thinking much of her needs. She has been a relentless supporter, loyal companion in any situation and most of all a wife capable of giving limitless love to her husband and her family.

She fell seriously ill, and after three weeks in the hospital, Milos took her home where she died peacefully in his embrace. There is no way to express how much she will be missed by her husband and her family.

She is survived by her husband Milos; older son Milos jr., his wife Hana and their two sons Peter with his wife Akansha and Daniel; younger son Ales, his wife Adera and their daughter Rachel.

Family and close friends visitation will be held on Saturday 21st March, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Memorial Service will take place on Saturday 4th Apr, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.