AOA’s longest-serving speaker, T. Eugene Zachary, DO, dies at 77

A former president of both the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA) and the Texas Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), T. Eugene Zachary, DO, of Colleyville, Texas, died on Feb. 20. He was 77.

Inspired by his favorite uncle, an osteopathic orthopedic surgeon, to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine, Dr. Zachary graduated in 1959 from the Kansas City (Mo.) University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. After practicing family medicine in Richardson, Texas, from 1960 to 1980, he spent the next 20 years with the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth in many capacities, serving as the dean and vice president for academic affairs from 1984 to 1990. He returned in a part-time position after retiring to help establish the college’s rural medicine track.

Dr. Zachary also helped found the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine—Virginia Campus, which opened in 2001.

Known for wielding a giant gavel that was a gift from a speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dr. Zachary had the distinction of being the only osteopathic physician to serve as speaker for three osteopathic medical associations simultaneously. The longest-serving speaker of the AOA House of Delegates, he held that position for 18 consecutive terms, from 1982 to 2000. Overlapping that period, he served as the speaker of the TOMA House of Delegates and the ACOFP Congress of Delegates.

“He was a very good speaker of the House,” remembers retired endocrinologist Robert S. Seiple, DO, of Dublin, Ohio, who for several years served as the AOA’s vice speaker under Dr. Zachary. “He knew his parliamentary law, and he asserted himself authoritatively.”

Succeeding Dr. Zachary as speaker of the TOMA House and later the AOA House, AOA Trustee Mark A. Baker, DO, considers him a mentor. “At the conclusion of every House of Delegates back in Texas, Gene would privately critique my work to help me get better,” Dr. Baker recalls. “He made me into the speaker I became.”

Dr. Zachary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy, two daughters, a son, a brother, a sister, several grandchildren and a great grandchild.