Dr. Gifford V. Eckhout Jr.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated for Dr. Gifford V. Eckhout, Jr., 54, of Tyler, on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 10:00 AM at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Father Timothy Kelly and Father Luke Kalarickal officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Dr. Eckhout passed away Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Tyler after battling a long illness. He was born August 14, 1959 in Denver, Colorado to Dr. Gifford V. Eckhout, Sr. and Mrs. Velma Christine Ferguson Eckhout. Dr. Eckhout graduated from Colorado College with a B.A. in chemistry. He earned his M.D. from St. Louis University Medical School and completed his anesthesiology training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. While practicing anesthesia at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Eckhout obtained his M.B.A from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. With the Cleveland Clinic Foundation he was Head, Section on Staff Recruitment, Department of General Anesthesiology, CCF from 2000 to 2005, Anesthesia Coordinator, Operating Room (60 anesthetizing locations), Chair, General Anesthesiology Clinical Issue Committee, Electronic anesthesiology consultation service, Department of General Anesthesiology, development with e-Cleveland Clinic, Elected Representative, Division of Anesthesiology Committee, 2002-2004, Clinical Issues Liaison, Dept. of General Anesthesiology 2003 to 2005, Finance and Contracting Committee, Cleveland Clinic Physician Organization from 1999 to 2004, Cleveland Society of Anesthesiologists, President from 1994 to 1995 and Cleveland Society of Anesthesiologist, Board of Directors, 1992-1997. In 2005 Dr. Eckhout took on a new challenge as the Chief of Anesthesia at Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics in Tyler. In 2011, Dr. Eckhout was appointed Executive Vice-president of the Trinity Health Care System in addition to remaining Chair of Anesthesia. Dr. Eckhout’s numerous accomplishments include serving on the Finance Committee of Trinity Clinic from 2007-2011, The Board of Directors of Trinity Clinic from 2008-2012, and the Practice Standards Committee for Trinity Clinic from 2009-2011. He was a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and served on many committees from 2001-2013. He was a member of the Texas Society of Anesthesia. Dr. Eckhout was also the President of the Ohio Society of Anesthesiologists from 2004-2005. He was head of numerous departments for The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, during which time he was on the CCF Review Committee for Chairman, Dept. of OB/GYN; Head of Staff Recruitment, Dept. of General Anesthesiology; Anesthesia Coordinator, and Chair, General Anesthesiology Clinical Issues Committee. He accomplished so many things in such a short time. The love and comfort of his wife and children gave him purpose in life to make a difference in others’ lives through the medical field and mentoring colleagues to achieve their best. He is survived by his loving family including his wife, Marlise Martin Eckhout; daughter, Ellen Eckhout of New York, N.Y.; son Austin Eckhout of Tyler; sister, Kimberly Eckhout of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; brother, Tom Eckhout of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; two nieces and one nephew. Pallbearers will be Austin Eckhout, Perry Ganchar, Shawn Bagwell, Dr. Joe Zasik, Dr. Steven Keuer, Dr. James Stanford, Dr. Armin Schubert and Dr. Ray Borkowski. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 –8:00 PM on Friday, June 27, 2014 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. A reception will be held following the service at 12:00 PM on Saturday at the Louis and Peaches Owen Hospital at Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Gifford V. Eckhout, Jr., M.D., MBA Memorial Fund at Trinity Mother Frances Foundation, 611 South Fleishel, Tyler, TX 75701. Gifts will be dedicated to expand and enhance heart care at the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital which he dearly loved and worked to build.

Dr. Gifford V. Eckhout Jr.

August 14, 1959 - June 22, 2014