Gene Martin Lasater, M.D.

Gene Martin ""Geno"" Lasater, M.D. Dr. Gene Lasater, 88, died peacefully, Saturday, March 30, from complications of cancer and age at the Holly Creek Retirement Community. Geno, as he was known to his friends and family, was born in Paris, Tennessee in 1924 and would have been 89 on April 8. Geno graduated from EW Grove High School in 1942 and went on to study at Vanderbilt University, where he completed both his undergraduate degree and medical degree, magna cum laude. He was class valedictorian, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He was married in high school and before leaving medical school had a daughter, Carole Anne. Geno divorced and married Naomi Ruth Krahn, a nurse, in 1951, who he met while completing his residency in neurology at the University of Minnesota. Gene and Naomi went on to have four sons and were married for 57 years, until Naomi's death, in 2009. After his residency, Gene and Naomi moved to Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps. After his discharge, they moved back to Minneapolis for a year, where Geno completed his residency before moving to Memphis where Dr. Lasater began teaching at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, as an Associate Professor of Neurology. While there, he was recruited by two Denver neurosurgeons to begin a neurology practice in the Rocky Mountain Region, and in 1957 became Denver's first resident neurologist, practicing with the Western Neurological Group. Dr. Lasater was at one time the chief of staff of Denver Presbyterian Hospital (""Downtown Pres"") and a neurology resident's room was later named in his honor. Dr. Lasater treated thousands of patients in Denver and the Rocky Mountain area, and was known as the ""Dean of Neurology"" in the west. Dr. Lasater's patients included other physicians, federal and state judges, lawyers, business people and persons of all walks of life in need of care. Dr. Lasater always had his medical bag nearby, and believed in diagnosis through listening and careful conversation with his patients and their families. Geno was a long time member of the Denver Country Club, an avid golfer and bridge player, a world traveler, Colorado Rockies fanatic and a good friend to all who knew him. Geno was a devout Christian and an early member of Augustana Lutheran Church, and then a devoted member of Bethany Lutheran Church for decades until his death. Geno is survived by his brother, John Porter ""Jack"" Lasater, III, 79, Siloam Springs, Arkansas (Claudia), sister Martha Floy Andrus, 86, Boise, Idaho, (Kermit ""Andy""); daughter Carole Anne Lasater Dahlinger, 66, Nashville, Tennessee, grandchildren Frank William Dahlinger (Lorraine and great-granddaughter Evyn) and Karin Leigh Dahlinger Hawkins (Alex and great-granddaughters Drew and Anna); his sons Eric M. Lasater, 60, Highlands Ranch, (and grandsons Brandon and Brent); Randy A. Lasater, 58, Edwards, (and granddaughters Nicole and Stephanie); Gene M. ""Marty"" Lasater, Jr., 54 (Julie), Orlando; and J. Scott Lasater, 52 (Gail), Highlands Ranch, and grandchildren Lauren Blehm (Nate, and great granddaughter Reagan Olivia Blehm), Jacob ""Jake"" Lasater and Kelly Lasater. A funeral service, interment and reception will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Englewood, CO 80113, on Sunday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers or memorials, Geno and the family would appreciate the support of Bethany Lutheran Church. Please share your memories of Geno and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.