Obituaries

Eugene LaPlante

Eugene Schrae LaPlante, M.D., 86, died at home in Mount Morris, Pa. on Jan. 22, 2022.

He was born in Fulda, Minn., son of the late Lionel and Ethel Breen LaPlante. He is survived by his second wife, Mary Markusic LaPlante; three children, Kimberly and husband Dr. Paul Componation, of Mansfield, Texas, Dr. Jon LaPlante, and Dr. Michele O’Neill and husband Sean, of Chico, Calif.; stepchildren, Michelle Russell, of Raleigh, N.C., Michael J. Markusic and Angie, of Swansboro, N.C., Monica Slaney, of Raleigh, N.C., and Melanie McCaleb and husband Parker Lee, of Raleigh, N.C.; and grandchildren, Justin and Ian Componation. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Gary LaPlante, of Parker, Colo. He was pre-deceased by his parents; sister, JoElyn Nelson; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth LaPlante; and grandchildren Claire LaPlante and Seth Componation.

He graduated from Slayton High School in Slayton, Minn. in 1953. He then received a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science in 1957 and an M.D. degree in 1962, both from the University of Minnesota.

After completing an internship and surgical residency at West Virginia University Hospital, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Medical Corps, served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and honorably discharged in 1970.

He completed a two year American Cancer Society Clinical Fellowship at West Virginia University Hospital and a Clinical Transplantation Fellowship at University of Minnesota Hospitals.

He was a member of several professional societies, including the Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, West Virginia Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, Central Surgical Association, American Board of Surgery, The Bernard Zimmerman Surgical Society, West Virginia Gastrointestinal Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

After completing a transplantation fellowship at the University of Minnesota, he returned to West Virginia Medical Center and initiated a renal (kidney) transplantation program for the State of West Virginia.
Staff appointments during his career as a general, vascular and kidney transplant surgeon included: assistant professor of surgery at West Virginia University Medical Center 1970-1974, associate professor of surgery at West Virginia University Medical Center 1974-1975, staff surgeon at Monongalia General Hospital 1975-1994 and clinical associate professor of surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine 1989-1994.

He also served as a founding member of Morgantown Surgical Associates while practicing at Monongalia General Hospital.

No funeral or memorial is planned. He has gifted his body to the West Virginia University School of Medicine.