Dr. Mark Tendai age 78, of Springfield passed away at his home the morning of January 5, 2017.
He is survived by his wife Janet Tendai, son Mark Tendai III, daughter Dr. Jeanette Tendai, grandchildren Audrey Tendai and Mark Tendai IV, cousins Octavian and Siegfried Tarnowieckyi along with extended family members Connie Otto, Ramon Mendoza and Joe Huntsman.
Dr. Mark Tendai exemplified the American Dream.
At age 11 Mark immigrated to the United States from Romania on a ship with his mother and stepfather. They landed at Ellis Island and after a short time his family moved to Joplin Missouri as indentured servants. After graduating from Medical School Dr. Tendai joined the Army Reserves where he earned the rank Lieutenant Colonel and lead a Medical and Surgical Unit. He received Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Reserves in 1978 after many years of service.
He was a successful Ob-Gyn physician and surgeon who graduated from St. Louis University and University of Missouri Medical School. He completed an internship at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and practiced medicine in Kirksville, Columbia and Springfield, Missouri, where he concluded his 38-year career in medicine. He was an independent doctor who developed relationships with his patients and their families while providing innovative and personalized care.
He was a devoted husband loving father and proud grandpa and was happiest with his family sharing holiday meals, taking vacations and spending time outside hunting and fishing.
He is preceded in death by his Mother Anna Tynio, Stepfather John Tynio, Misha and Eleanor Advision, Nicholas and Olga Tarnowieckyi, Beverly Tarnowieckyi, Elenor Blaser, Stanley and Opal Bryson.
Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 8, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00pm Monday, January 9th, 2017 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will follow directly after at Rivermonte Cemetery.