Alex Kalenak Alex Kalenak lost his courageous four-year battle with cancer on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Dr. Kalenak was a beloved teacher, physician, and friend through a long, distinguished career as an orthopedic surgeon in the Hershey area. Inspired by his immigrant parents, Alex Kalenak lived his life guided by love of learning, love of family, and by his strong faith. His signature gentle approach comforted and encouraged everyone he met. Giving unselfishly of himself, he engaged each patient as a whole person in an active healing relationship. As a teacher and mentor, Dr. Kalenak motivated young doctors, as well as seasoned colleagues, to achieve excellence with compassion. Dr. Kalenak was born on July 27, 1935 in Nanty-Glo, PA and graduated from Nanty-Glo High School in 1953. He attended Penn State University and graduated in 1957 majoring in pre-medicine. He then attended Hahneman Medical School in Philadelphia, PA, graduating in 1961. He went on for a one year internship in medicine at Akron General Hospital and then served four years in the United States Navy as a Flight Surgeon. In 1973 Dr. Kalenak was hired as a professor at the Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA, and as team orthopedic surgeon for Penn State athletics. His mission was to establish a sports medicine program at Penn State. He served Penn State and the community in this capacity until 1995. In 2005 Penn State established the Alexander Kalenak Professorship of Orthopedics endowment at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Kalenak was instrumental in establishing a palliative care unit at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which provides care for terminally ill patients and their families. Dr. Kalenak is survived by his wife Beth Richards Kalenak, three children, Alex Kalenak of Pittsburgh, PA, Audrey Lauri of Manhasset, NY, and Mark Kalenak of Washington, DC, a step-son, Zachary Richards of Falls Church, VA, and six grandchildren, Abby, Mary Kai, Maya, Cole, Matthew, and Jake. Dr. Kalenak was one of eleven children of Anna and Michael Kalenak of Nanty-Glo, PA. Surviving him are his siblings Helen Lanwehr of Kearney, NJ, Daniel Kalenak of Odessa, TX, and his twin, Anna Doray of Hershey, PA and many nieces and nephews. A private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Service will be held at the Hershey Evangelical Free Church on Tuesday, September 16 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM till time of service. Donations in lieu of flowers in the name of Alexander Kalenak can be made to the Penn State Palliative Care Center. Checks may be written to the Pennsylvania State University with a note designating Palliative Care Fund and mailed to The Office of University Development, 1600 Centerview Drive, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852 or call 717-531-6118. Share condolences with the family at hooverfuneralhome.com. The Patriot-news, Thursday, September 11, 2008, p.B4, with a nice colored picture <If anyone wants a scanned copy, just let me know. I am posting this for other, I have no connection to this family.>