John A. Lynch, M.D.

John A. Lynch, M.D., 81, of Topeka, passed away Monday, February 6, 2012.

John Anthony Lynch was born March 27, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, son of Earl and Alice (Donahoe) Lynch. He graduated from Corpus Christi High School, Fort Dodge. John then obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1951, and medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1955. He honorably served in the US Navy. John completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, in 1963.

On November 26, 1960, John was united in marriage to Maureen "Twink" Canfield at Blessed Sacrament Church, Chevy Chase, D.C. They relocated to Topeka, in 1963.

He was a founder, partner, and surgeon at Kansas Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Topeka. John was a pioneer and innovator in the field of total joint replacement for the treatment of arthritis.

He was a past president of the Arthritis Foundation, Kansas Chapter and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. John also served in numerous leadership positions at Stormont-Vail Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

In addition to his professional pursuits, John had a lifelong passion for the University of Notre Dame, where he established a lecture series in the life sciences and made yearly football-Saturday pilgrimages. He also followed his passion for music, studying voice under Gordon Gaines for many years; the theatre, both as a performer and patron; flying, by becoming an experienced private pilot; and travel, having explored nearly the entire planet. John had a boundless curiosity about virtually everything and never tired of learning.

Most of all, he was a loving husband and father and an inspiration to his family and others whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his wife, Twink Lynch, Topeka; children, Mark (Mary) Lynch, Overland Park, KS; Dr. Christopher (Kim) Lynch, Shawnee, KS; Dr. Nancy Lynch, San Mateo, CA; and Dr. Gregory (Tiffany) Lynch, Mission Hills, KS; grandchildren, Brenna, Ryan, and Michael Lynch; Parker, Aidan, and Garrett Lynch; Haley, Annie, Paige and Jack Lynch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister, Mary Lynch.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Topeka. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. John will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2012, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given in John's name to the Arthritis Foundation, Kansas Chapter, 1999 N. Amidon Avenue, Suite 105, Wichita, KS 67203-2122 or the University of Notre Dame, att: Carol Hennion, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.