Unfortunately, Jan's determination could only go so far, and he passed away late this April. I just learned the news today and thought others here would want to know.
Jan and I emailed off an on the past several years, but it wasn't until late last year that we finally had a chance to meet in person. Jan was one of the pioneers who participated in the CAR T-cell therapy trial for multiple myeloma at the University of Pennsylvania – despite the fact that Jan's home was 2500 miles away in Eugene, Oregon. While he was in the Philadelphia area this past December for some tests, Jan and his wife took some time to drive out of the city for a visit.
The three of us spent several hours together, having lunch and doing some sightseeing. I was looking forward to staying in more regular contact with him this year.
Fate, however, had other plans, and we've lost yet another caring soul that brightened our community while he was among us.
I'm including below a picture of Jan as well as his obituary, which you can also view -- with comments from some of his friends and family -- at this link. In addition, I've included links to two remembrances of Jan written by friends of his.
Photo of Jan:
- Jan Stafl 1b.jpg (21.5 KiB) Viewed 2204 times
Jan's obituary:
Jan Honza Stafl, MD, OB-GYN
Our dear husband, father, and grandfather-to-be, Jan H. Stafl, passed away in his home, surrounded by a circle of loved ones, Sunday, April 26, 2015. Jan was 58. He lived each day bravely and graciously with his disease, multiple myeloma for 45 months, an accomplishment of which he was justly proud.
Born in the Czech Republic, Jan emigrated to the U.S. in 1968. He received his MD from Northwestern University and did his residency at Johns Hopkins in obstetrics and gynecology, completing a postgraduate pelvic surgery fellowship. He practiced in Minnesota for 8 years before coming to Eugene and becoming a founding member of Pacific Women's Center, a private OB-GYN practice. He was instrumental in designing the current practice location, Ten Coburg Road.
Jan was foremost an explorer, an innovator. He had a drive and curiosity, a thirst for knowledge that led him to investigate just about everything. He was often surfing the wave of his field, and always committed to scientific inquiry. Jan delivered more than 4,000 babies. He established a water birth program and strongly supported and worked closely with well-qualified midwives. He never lost his sense of wonder and awe at each and every birth. He cared for his patients holistically, understanding the complex interplay of body, mind, and spirit in well-being and disease. He listened. He cared.
Jan was a lifelong and eclectic collector – friends, stamps, tarot decks, artwork, stones, books, and chanterelle mushrooms. The mushrooms he shared, but never where he found them! And Jan probed deeply into the mysteries of life and spirit. He embraced the ancient Czech practice of questioning and study of all wisdom traditions. He was most drawn to Celtic and Native ways, identifying strongly with the elemental in nature.
And he LOVED Oregon. He loved Eugene and tie-dye as he loved his native Czech Republic. With his unstoppable energy, he left few peaks unscaled, few inaccessible places unexplored. He loved Crater Lake. He loved skiing Mt. Bachelor. Winter, summer, or fall, he and his family played in the wild outdoors. And oh how he loved his family. And friends. And community. His children were ever a source of great joy and pride and his beloved wife a true companion in his journey through life. His friends were recipients of his generosity. He was a proud Rotarian.
Jan lived life as a big adventure. As a celebration. He had an unending zest for everything and everyone. A great appetite to always try something new. With Jan, there was never a dull moment and boredom was a foreign concept. He was usually up for something new – but a few things were best left alone, including his PiIsner Urquell beer from his hometown, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
But always, Jan lived life to the fullest; he let nothing stop him. And Jan died without being afraid. He was off to another great adventure.
Jan's absence will be greatly felt by all who knew him. He leaves behind his Czech-born, deeply beloved wife of 33 years, Liba; his children, Erik, Natalie, and Lenka and their spouses; his brother Denny Stafl and father Adolf Stafl, MD, and spouses; and his soon-to-be-born grandchild.
Remembrance of Jan by Lauren Kessler:
http://www.counterclockwisebook.com/goodbye-jan/
Remembrance of Jan by Donna Trump:
http://www.donnatrump.org/fearless-grace/
