John M. Hiss, Jr., 83; Prominent Physician

John (‘Jack’) Martin Hiss, Jr., an esteemed physician who specialized in nuclear medicine from 1966 until his retirement in 1987, died on October 3 in Mandalay Shores, California, where he had resided for the past 15 years. He was 83, and died peacefully at home with family and friends at his side. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 1, 1922, Jack moved to California with his family in 1931. Following his pre-med training at the UCLA School of Medicine, he was awarded his M.D. at Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He completed his internship at the University of Chicago before beginning his residency in internal medicine at San Joaquin General Hospital. Widely respected for his devotion to his profession, Jack also served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Tokyo during the American occupation in 1948. From 1974 until 1987, he was chief of the nuclear medicine department at Santa Monica Hospital. Jack loved jazz and classical music. Nothing brought him more joy than the Big Band sounds of the Buddy Rich Orchestra or the Jeff Hamilton Trio; and nothing brought tears to his eyes like the music of Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart. He will be remembered by those who knew and loved him for his heroic efforts to continue attending concerts, even when his physical disabilities due to Parkinson’s disease would seemingly have precluded him from doing so. He will be missed by those who were moved by his undying and infectious passion for composers and performers alike. In addition to his medical career, Jack played drums and other percussion instruments. He was a member of the Magic Castle, the Doctors Symphony, and had his own small jazz band. He also loved to travel the world. Jack is survived by his sisters, Marian McCulla and Jane Bourland; four children, Valerie Hiss of Pacific Palisades, John of Palo Alto, Deborah Hiss of Seattle and Paul of Reno; and four grandchildren, Hailey, Dominique, Hannah and Eli. A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends in late October. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization: 74-090 El Paseo, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260-4135. Telephone: (877) 775-4111.