| It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share that Mark A. Varvares, MD, FACS, age 67, passed away on May 20th, 2026, surrounded by his family, leaving behind a legacy defined by the countless lives he has touched. As many of you know, Mark devoted his career of over 40 years to caring for others. He was an exceptional surgeon, educator, and leader whose work profoundly shaped the field of head and neck surgery. A nationally recognized expert in head and neck ablative and reconstructive surgery, he advanced the care for patients with complex head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma, skull base tumors, and cancers of the nose and paranasal sinuses. His expertise in free flap reconstruction and multidisciplinary cancer care improved outcomes for countless patients. Despite his obviously impressive academic contributions, Mark always carried an aura of the “common man,” treating his patients and colleagues as equals who he was here to support and encourage. Over the course of his career, Mark served as Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Saint Louis University and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. He distinguished himself through his selfless and personal leadership style, his innovative surgical skills, and his deep commitment to his patients. His dedication to his work never wavered, and his influence will continue to be felt for generations through the physicians, students, and healthcare professionals he mentored so passionately – each of whom will channel their “inner Varv.” Within the AHNS, he was a member and leader of numerous AHNS committees, including the Reconstructive and Mucosal Sections, Program Service, Quality Care Service, and many others. Mark did not just treat his patients, but took the time to truly know them and care for their whole person – providing his cell phone to each and every one of his patients. He was always accessible to his patients, even in the most rural settings. Inspired by his love for his patients and Mark’s own experience fighting cancer, he established a cancer survivorship program at Mass Eye and Ear, leaving a legacy of compassion and service. But equally important to Mark was his belief that the Chair role was that of service. This was seen in his unwavering commitment to mentoring and developing every resident, fellow, and faculty member in his department. He would help each one to reach their goals. Mark viewed his legacy as being lived out each and every day by helping people to achieve their best – always seeing the goodness in others, regardless of their rank or accomplishments. Many identify Mark as the person who triggered their interest in head and neck surgery, or the person who inspired them to pursue their academic journey, or the person who pushed them forward, while being equally reliable as the person to fall back on in a tough time. Mark loved being in the woods, fishing, birding, and spending time with his family and friends. He spent 41 years with his wife and teammate, Chris. His love lives on through their daughters Alexis, Sophie, and Tessa; sons-in-law Drew and Henry; his grandchildren Rhea, Lincoln, and Eleanor; his siblings Teddy Hart and Chris Varvares; sisters and brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews. We will all dearly miss such an ever present and influential person in the field of head and neck surgery. For those who are interested, the visitation will be on Friday, May 29th, from 5-8 PM at the Kutis Funeral Home (5255 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, MO 63129). The viewing and funeral service will be Saturday, May 30th, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (4967 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108). The viewing will be from 10-11:30 AM, and the service will be from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM. Private burial will follow the funeral service. A reception will be held on Saturday after the funeral from 2:30-5:30 PM in Saint Louis University’s DuBourg Hall (221 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in memory of Mark to the memorial funds below, established to carry forward some of the work closest to his heart: resident education and cancer survivorship. Gifts will help support the newly established Cancer Survivorship Fund at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, which works to help patients live their fullest lives through their cancer journey — supporting them physically and emotionally long after treatment ends. Gifts will also support the Mark Varvares, MD, Otolaryngology Resident Education and Travel Fund at Saint Louis University, helping to train and inspire the next generation of physicians. |
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