John Frederick Kreul, M.D.

John F. Kreul, M.D., age 63, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2009 , at HospiceCare in Fitchburg.   John was born June 4, 1946, the son of Randolph and Lucille (Schulte) Kreul in Oklahoma City.   He grew up in Racine and attended St. Catherine's High School.   He was united in marriage to Joan Kringel on July 11, 1970.   John was a loving husband, father , and grandfather.   His family was always the first priority in his life.   He was very proud of his children, and enjoyed sharing their accomplishments in life.     John is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Joan; his devoted children , John Edward (Allison Stevens) Kreul and Meg (Jim) Peters; his cherished grandsons, Jack and Owen Kreul; and his honorary grandson Riley.   He is also survived by his brothers Randy (Mary) Kreul and Dick (Mary Ann) Kreul.   John was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Susan.     John Frederick Kreul M.D. , was Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH).   A graduate of Marquette University and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, he joined the UWSMPH faculty in 1976 after completing his postgraduate education in Anesthesiology and Cardiac Anesthesiology at the Case Western University Hospitals.     Over the next three decades, John was the consummate clinician-educator.   He trained more than 200 physician anesthesiologist s and countless medical students and residents.   His calm, quiet and effective demeanor engendered confidence in all those he cared for and taught.   He was particularly composed during a crisis.   John provided a wonderful and lasting example of what a physician should aspire to be in his roles as clinician, teacher, mentor, friend , and trusted advisor.     He was the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the William S. Middleton Veterans Affairs Hospital for six years , followed by seventeen years of service to the UW Department of Anesthesiology as Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and later Vice Chair for Clinical Administration.   From 2000 through 2002, he served as the President of the UW Hospitals and Clinics Medical Staff and was acting Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology during 2002.   John was integrally involved in many important committees at UWSMPH and Hospital and Clinics, frequently as chair or vice chairman.   He particularly focused on the development and evolution of the continuous quality assessment and improvement program at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics.     During his career, he was President of the Madison Society of Anesthesiologists; President of the Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists (WSA); and for many years, the District Director for Wisconsin and a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), the largest organization in the world in his specialty.   The WSA and ASA recognized his efforts on behalf of medicine, anesthesiology, and patient safety with lifetime achievement awards, and the University of Wisconsin created the John F. Kreul , M.D. , Endowed Fellowship.   This endowment supports educational grants to faculty in the Department of Anesthesiology to pursue scholarly activities that benefit patients and their families.     Patient safety and risk management were among John's passions.   He was particularly interested in safe application in innovative technologies in the operating rooms.   John was one of the recognized experts in this region on Anesthesiology equipment safety and life support monitoring.   The identification and management of patients with Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), a life threatening genetic disease of muscle metabolism, was also a major career interest.     During his career, increasingly effective diagnostic tools and therapies were developed to limit the devastating effects of MH.   He and his UW colleagues were always available as consultative and educational resources to patients, families, and physicians about theses advances.   John recently was recognized by the ASA and received the Distinguished Service Award.     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 20, 2009 at ST THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Dr. , Madison, W I , 53717, with Msgr. Don Heiar presiding.   Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of service.     In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the John F. Kreul M.D. Education Fellowship for Anesthesiology, in c/o the University of Wisconsin Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox,   P.O. Box 78807,   Milwaukee, WI , 53278-0807, or HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI   53711.   The family would like to thank their many loyal friends and neighbors for their support, and the staffs of HospiceCare and Brightstar Healthcare for their compassionate care.