Encyclopedia Dubuque
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PECHOUS, Paul G.
PECHOUS, Paul G. (Iowa City, IA, Apr. 29, 1932--Dubuque, IA, Jan. 13, 2023). The oldest of five children born to George and Celeste (Lynch) Pechous, Paul attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade, followed by St. Patrick’s High School in Iowa City, IA. He graduated from St. Ambrose College where he did his pre-medical studies. While in college at St. Ambrose, he met his future wife Nancy, and they were married on June 25th, 1955.
After graduating from St Ambrose, Paul attended the University of Iowa medical school, graduating in 1958. After medical school, he joined the United States Public Health Service and completed a residency in ophthalmology. Much of his time in the Public Health Service was spent in New Orleans. One of his highlights was spending six weeks in the North Atlantic as a ship’s surgeon on a Coast Guard cutter. Paul was honorably discharged from the Public Health Service in 1967 having achieved the rank of Commander.
He and Nancy moved their family to Dubuque to start his private practice in ophthalmology in Dubuque began in 1967, continuing until he retired in 2014.
Paul served as President of the Dubuque County Medical Society, Mercy Hospital Medical Staff, and the Xavier Hospital Medical Staff. He spent many years as the Dubuque local physician representative for Mercy Hospital’s Corporation.
In addition to his involvement in the medical community, Paul served in other areas, including several terms on the board of directors for CLARKE UNIVERSITY. He was active with DUBUQUE COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE, INC. and ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL, where he was a member for 32 years. He was a volunteer pallbearer with ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, a member of the Serra Club, and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jesus.
Paul and Nancy loved to see the world. Their travels took them to the Holy Land, Thailand, Japan, Canada, and Europe. They spent over 20 years wintering in Naples, Florida. Family vacations were especially important to Paul and Nancy. They took their children on trips throughout the United States during their lifetime.
In addition to traveling, Paul’s hobbies and passions included being an avid collector of Dubuque history and memorabilia, collecting clocks, attending the DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and theater-especially Broadway musicals, gourmet cooking, genealogy, reading, and gardening.
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Source:
Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, Jan. 18, 2023, p. 12A
