Biography:

Dr. Frank George Palanek was born in Hulk, Czechoslovakia on the 18th of September, 1917.  Dr. Palanek was the second of three sons born to John Palanek and the former Marie Riha. His siblings were John J. Palanek and Anthony Joseph Palanek.  The family immigrated to Canada on the 17th of June, 1929 and settled on a farm near Dresden, Ontario. Dr. Palanek attended primary school in Dresden and he attended Dresden High School up to Grade 12.  For Grade 13, he attended Chatham Collegiate Institute in Chatham and he achieved the gold medal for matriculation.

Dr. Palanek attended Queen’s University in Kingston, beginning in 1937. After completing an undergraduate degree, Dr. Palanek went on to medical school at Queen’s. Dr. Palanek enlisted in the army while he was in medical school. He was required to intern through the summer vacation. Dr. Palanek interned at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham. Dr. Palanek graduated M.D.,C.M. (which included his Masters of Surgery) on January 20th, 1943.

On the 30th of January, 1943, he married Lillian Mary (Lacina) Palanek. She was born in Czechoslovakia in 1922, the daughter of Francis Lacina and the former Frances Brecka.  Mrs. Palanek had 2 sisters Mary and Emily and a brother named Stanley.

Dr. Palanek completed his internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London.  The following year, Dr. and Mrs. Palanek had a baby boy who they named Robert John Palanek. Dr. Palanek was suppose to report to Officers Training in Winnipeg, but delayed his arrival to care for his wife and new-born son after a difficult delivery. Mrs. Palanek and their infant son Robert,  flew to Winnipeg three weeks later.

Dr. Palanek was eventually sent to Watford, England and worked as a surgeon caring for the injured from D-Day (June 1944). As Allied Forces moved across Europe, Dr. Palanek followed the troops working in Battalion Aid Hospitals. Mrs. Palanek knew of at least 9 locations that her husband had been posted to. Dr. Palanek’s younger brother Joseph Anthony Palanek was a Canadian Air Force pilot. Anthony was shot down and died in a bombing run over Germany and left behind his wife and his 3 year-old son, James.

Dr. Palanek returned to Canada in March of 1946.  He was discharged from the army in June of 1946.  He held the rank of Captain.

Dr. Palanek set up a general family practice and surgery at 147 Thames Street in Chatham in September of 1946. His wife Lil worked side by side with her husband. She looked after the administration of the office and she worked as his nurse. Dr. and Mrs. Palanek had a daughter Corinne Elizabeth Palanek.

In 1964, Dr. Palanek had a medical set-back and his practice was cut in half. In 1967 after another health decline, his practice was cut back again and towards the end of his career, Dr. Palanek just practiced in dermatology. Dr. Palanek was President of the Kent County Medical Association in 1973. He was also a member of Rotary, Past President of the V.O.N. and Past President of the Staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Dr. Palanek enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time.  The Palanek family resided at 321 Victoria Avenue (Chatham).

Dr. Palanek died on the 30th of September, 1982.   Mrs. Palanek died at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on the 22nd of August, 2017.  Dr. and Mrs. Palanek were buried in the mausoleum at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.

*Dr. Palanek is also featured on the ‘Gathering Our Heroes’ website.

Tombstone Credit: Anne F.