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In Memoriam

The Medical Society extends deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the following physicians.

Gunar Mezaraups, MD

Gunar Mezaraups, MD, passed trained in Ultrasound and CT. During his tenure at ARA,
away on November 13 following a he served as Chief of Radiology for both Seton and St.
battle with pancreatic cancer. His David’s hospitals. As a former colleague noted, “In
father was a member of the my experience, he is the finest and most competent
Latvian government, and after the radiologist I have ever met.”
Soviet invasion of Latvia during Dr. Mezaraups is survived by his wife and two
WWII, the Soviets were searching for him, wanting children. He was appreciated for his quick wit, sense of
to exterminate all members of the government. Dr. humor, and keen ability to pun and subtly amuse. Gunar
Mezaraups’ parents and their baby daughter fled the had a love of learning, especially history; loved art; snow
country, disguised as peasants. The family lived in skiing; watching sports; and had a passion for sports cars,
displaced persons camps in Germany, where Gunar which started with high school friends rebuilding an old
was born in 1947—the family immigrating to the MG. He was also a crossword puzzle enthusiast. Most of
United States in 1951. all, Dr. Mezaraups was known for his integrity, his
Dr. Mezaraups completed his undergraduate and kindness, and his sense of justice for those around him.
medical education at Columbia in New York, followed Being a refugee born in a refugee camp gave him
by residency and fellowship training at UCLA, where he perspective on how blessed he was. His abundant
briefly served on faculty before moving to Austin and gratitude gave him an appreciation for most everything
joining Austin Radiology Association (ARA) in 1980, life brought his way.
becoming the first radiologist in Austin to be fellowship

Paul Marek Scibielski, MD

Paul Marek Scibielski, MD, aged A man of deep faith, Dr. Scibielski thrived in his
48, passed away on September 20. A role as husband to Julia and father to his young children,
native of Toronto, he was the son of Claire (3.5 years) and Mark (16 months). He and Julia
Polish immigrants. His family frequently talked about how the sound of their kids
relocated to Austin where he laughing was the purest source of joy. His colleagues and
graduated from Westwood High friends would frequently hear him buzzing with
School, then UT Austin. He received his medical degree excitement about the latest milestone Claire or Mark
from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and achieved. He loved family hugs in the kitchen,
went on to complete a pediatric residency at the spontaneous dancing to Leon Bridges, and pizza/movie
Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, then night. Paul enjoyed every element of life in Austin: music,
a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology in Galveston. theater, UT football, Uchi, and Taco Deli queso. But
He practiced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in Waco, with all Austin has to offer, his family was his greatest
Corpus Christi, and Austin and was known by his joy and most precious treasure. He longed to be a father
patients and peers as a skilled physician who deeply cared and was able to live out that dream with Julia. They made
about his patients and colleagues. He worked at Greater sure each day was filled with the words “I love you” and
Austin Allergy until two days before he entered “You’re my favorite.”
hospice care.

20 2023 January • February TCMS