The Battle of the Bulge in 1945 turned 19-year old Robert Michael Yanchus into an orthopedic surgeon and earned him a Purple Heart.
Until then, his goal in life had been to become a professional double bass player. That life changing experience resulted in a 50+ years career fixing bones and alleviating pain.
Robert Yanchus, M.D. died February 9, 2020 in his sleep at the retirement home in Madison, Connecticut, where he moved in recent years to be closer to his family. He was 94 years old.
Life-Altering Moment
His daughter Susan Mix, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the war changed her Dad. “One of his good friends who was killed was a medic, and there were only maybe three survivors in his platoon. Then the GI bill gave him the opportunity he never would have had to go to college. That combination of things was really significant for him.”
He grew up the son of Czech and Hungarian immigrants in Masontown, Fayette County, in the Pittsburgh area, graduating in 1943 from Masontown High School.
After the war, Dr. Yanchus earned a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1950 and chose orthopedic surgery as his specialty.
“He just loved his career and he was really passionate about his work,” another daughter, Nancy Yanchus, of Cincinnati told the Post-Gazette. “He was interested in orthopedics because it had a very concrete outcome and he could really fix things. That’s why it engaged him so much.”
In 1954, he married Mary “Meg” McArn. He met Meg, a dietician, while working as a resident at the Aspinwall VA Medical Center. Mrs. Yanchus died in 2013. “He said when they met, he just fell in love with her instantly,” said Nancy Yanchus.
Pittsburgh Area Surgeon
For the majority of his career, according to his obituary, he practiced medicine at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington and Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights. He also had a private practice in New Kensington for many years.
Dr. Yanchus remained a lifelong fan of big band music and continued playing in community orchestras, with the Pitt Jazz Orchestra and even at his daughter’s wedding.
“He practiced a lot and he was really good,” Nancy Yanchus said.
After his wife’s death in 2013, Dr. Yanchus moved to California, then Connecticut to be with Ms. Mix and her family. “He had an amazing life,” she said. “There are so few people who saw and did the things he did.”
His obituary sums up a life of a beloved physician. “His egalitarian approach when interacting with others garnered great respect in the community. Robert showed kindness, compassion, and empathy to family, friends, and strangers alike.”
Dr. Yanchus is survived by a third daughter, Sally Yanchus, of New York City, and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. May 16 at Grace Community Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Interment will be private.
