Dr. Eugene L. Derlacki, a nationally known figure in the medical field of otolaryngology, died on July 21, 2004 at his home in the Stoneybrook Retirement Lodge, Corvallis, Oregon, at age 91. He was recognized as a caring physician, skilled surgeon, superb educator and for his many contributions to his medical field. He was born in Chicago on March 16, 1913 to Walter and Jadwiga Derlacki and lived in the Chicago area until the last 10 months of his life. Dr. Derlacki received his B.S. Degree from Northwestern University in 1936 and his M.D. Degree from its Medical School in 1939. He served an internship and a residency in otolaryngology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. He married Roberta May Brooker in 1940. During World War II, Dr. Derlacki served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, principally in the South Pacific. Returning to civilian life, he joined the practice of otolaryngology in Chicago with Dr. George Shambaugh and Dr. Arthur Juers. His contributions to the advancement of his medical specialty have been described as legendary by many of his peers. While maintaining private practices, he also taught at the Northwestern Medical School as Professor of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery. He published over 60 scientific papers and made numerous educational movies. He was in constant demand as a speaker at medical meetings throughout the country. He served as the last President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and became the first President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in 1978. He served in many capacities in this Academy including Secretary for the Instructional Courses in Otolaryngology for 17 years. He was elected to the Council of the American Otological Society in 1975 and served as its President from 1979 to 1980. He was one of the co-founders of the American Hearing Research Foundation, originally established in 1956, and actively worked on its behalf throughout his medical career. The final years of his active practice concluded with the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation when he retired in 2002 at the age of 89. His wife, Roberta, preceded him in death in 1999. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Jean Derlacki of Chicago and Judith Trail of Powell, OH; his brother, Walter Derlacki of Corvallis, OR; and by two granddaughters, Valerie and Vanessa Trail. Private graveside services will be conducted at the Little Woods Cemetery in Wayne, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Hearing Research Foundation, 8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 814, Chicago, IL 60603.
