Chemistry sets and Flash Gordon magazines propelled a young Mark W. Groch into the world of astrophysics, but when he chose a career it was a desire to help people that landed him in the world of nuclear medicine.
“He always knew physics would be his thing. He was a scientist down to the deepest bone in his body,” said his wife, Enid. “But he realized astrophysics wasn’t for him, so he chose a career where he felt he could do some good.”
Mr. Groch, 53, of Lisle, a nuclear medicine physicist known widely for his work in treating disease through imaging of the body, died of complications from a second heart-bypass surgery Saturday, May 11, in Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
Mr. Groch was renowned was for his work in applied physics and research, first at Searle Radiographics and later at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. He developed a number of imaging instruments and software programs used in cardiac nuclear medicine.
Dr. Stewart Spies, director of nuclear medicine at Northwestern Memorial, recruited Mr. Groch more than nine years ago. There, Mr. Groch would be involved in every aspect of nuclear medicine.
Other survivors include a daughter, Carolyn Rodgers; a son, Paul John; his father, Julian; and a brother, David.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Bethany Lutheran Church, 1550 Modaff Rd., Naperville.
