In Memoriam : Robert Mekemson
Robert Mekemson - age: 93
(April 09, 1931 to January 05, 2025 ) Resident of Exeter, California Visitation Information: A graveside service will be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at Tehachapi Public Cemetery W. at 1:30PM. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel at 11AM. Obituary: Dr Robert R. Mekemson was a quiet, conservative, country guy who had a deep love for his family, his ranch, and practicing medicine. In the early morning of January 5th, 2025, at home on his Exeter ranch, he passed at the age of 93 with his family attending to him. His wife, Laura C Mekemson, was at his side, as she has always been through all his accomplishments and challenges. Prior to his passing, his son, Robert, and daughter, Caryn, had traveled frequently to be with him over the past couple of years and were present during his final moments. On April 9th, 1931, Robert was born in Fort Madison, Iowa and was raised by his parents, Earl and Pauline Mekemson. He was very smart, he was very composed, he was a quiet boy. He experienced many obstacles in his early years and persevered. He attended Fort Madison High school and graduated from Iowa State College with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was commissioned into the Army right after college and was deployed as an artillery spotter in the Korean War effort. After deployment, and promotion to the rank of 1st lieutenant, he returned to the USA. He worked a year for General Electric in Schenectady, NY. Being an inquisitive, compassionate, and intelligent individual, he was compelled to apply to the University of Iowa, where he was accepted into medical school. After medical school graduation, he moved to California for his residency in Otolaryngology at USC medical center, and LA County Hospital. This hospital was a very special and memorable place where he met his wife, Laura Martinez, who was working as a surgical charge nurse. They were married in Tehachapi, CA, and celebrated 63 years of marriage just last year! We remember stories he told about driving all over Southern California to make “House calls”, if you can believe that today! He unexpectedly delivered a baby due to an “all hands-on deck” call where he was the only attending physician available at the hospital. Luckily, it was the mother’s 5th child. He said, “She told me exactly what to do to deliver her baby. Always listen to the mother!” Eventually after his residency in the Los Angeles area, Robert and Laura moved North, settled in Visalia, CA and opened his ENT practice. After settling in, it was a quick move to Exeter where they began their country life. He loved the small town, and the agricultural surroundings since he was an “Iowa farmer” by heart. Dr Robert Mekemson loved medicine, and his ENT practice, that included related head and neck surgeries. He was one of the few ENT specialists in Visalia, CA at the time. He was part of the first outpatient surgical center established in Visalia, CA. He was a regular sighting at Kaweah Delta Hospital, making frequent rounds to check on his patients. He was past president, and an active member of the Tulare County Medical Board. Post ENT retirement, it didn’t take him long to resume a new medical position. He worked for a Visalia Urgent care clinic and later took a MD position at the North Kern State Correctional Facility. He loved to fly fish. He had a pilot’s license. He loved Saturday College Football- routing for Iowa State, and especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved EUHS Wrestling. He loved walnut farming. He was a member of the Central Organization of Walnut Growers Association of California, where he received a quality award. He loved to read the Wall Street journal, medical journals, Flying magazines, and books. He loved his popcorn, Pepsi, fine Wine, beer, and any desserts. He enjoyed listening to classical music, especially during surgery. He enjoyed attending the Sequoia Symphony at the Fox Theater. He loved his pet dogs and cats. He loved the quiet life that Exeter and his ranch gave him. He enjoyed his close friends. He loved his family. He will be missed immensely, but no one beloved is ever truly gone. Dr. Robert is survived by his loving wife, Laura Mekemson, a daughter, Caryn M Jarmusz (Michael Jarmusz) of Amherst, NY and son, Robert R. Mekemson II of Long Beach, CA. He had been truly blessed with two granddaughters, Lauren Jarmusz Cabrera (Marquis Cabrera), and Alise Jarmusz, and one grandson, Benjamin Jarmusz. A recent blessing was a great grandson, Maddox Cabrera. Predeceased family members were his parents Earl and Pauline Mekemson of Fort Madison, Iowa, a sister, Kay Lynne Myers of Kansas City, MO, and a brother, Dennis Mekemson of Libertyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Visalia Rescue Mission- www.visaliarescuemission.org/givehope 
|
Click to Enlarge
|