Dr. James (Jim) Edward Novotny died peacefully in his home with his family on October 16, 2014, at age 63, after almost three years living with pancreatic cancer.

Jim was born in Winner, South Dakota, in 1952, the youngest of four children to Margaret and Anton Novotny. He is described by a classmate as “vibrant from the first day I met him in first grade,” “One of the smartest and most genuine people I’ve ever met”. He maintained his friendships with South Dakota classmates throughout his life.

He completed his medical training at Creighton University in Nebraska, and a residency/fellowship in Internal Medicine and Oncology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee. He met his wife, Marsha Schmidt, in Milwaukee and they were married in 1985 with Marsha’s daughter Rebecca Kavoussi as a witness.

Jim and Marsha lived in West Salem and had two children together, Nadia Novotny who attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and now lives in Seattle, WA, and Nikolas Novotny, who is soon to graduate from Viterbo University.

Jim worked at Franciscan Skemp (later purchased by Mayo) for 29 years, where he was the sole oncologist for many years, and was instrumental in building the Cancer Center in 2004. Jim served as the Medical Director of Hospice and Home Care, and as member and chairperson of many other committees. He received the Teacher of the Year award for his mentorship of oncology residents.

Most importantly, he cared for thousands of patients with cancer and said he learned everything he needed to know about living with the disease from them. He was cared for during his last years by his partner Dr. Paula Gill and many nurses who remained involved in the Cancer Center and hospice after his retirement. One of his nurses described him as a “dear man, loved by his patients and those of us who worked with him”.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved gardening, fishing, birding, and walks in the woods behind his home. He traveled around the world and was an eternal student and teacher of history and current events. He loved music, including a stint in his youth following the Grateful Dead. On the eve of his passing he requested Beethoven sonatas by name. He was also a generous contributor to the West Salem School District, the Cancer Center, and other charities.

Jim is survived by his wife Marsha, his children Nadia, Nikolas and Rebecca, Rebecca’s husband Erich and their daughter Amara; his siblings Donna Kelsey, Wayne Novotny and David Novotny; many nieces and nephews; and a large group of friends from around the country who were fiercely loyal and supportive to him and his family during the course of his battle with cancer.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life at the La Crosse Country Club on Sunday, November 9^th, at 11am. All who knew Jim are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Franciscan Skemp Foundation’s Oasis Fund for Cancer Patient Support: http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/la-crosse/donateCoulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. 

Jim will be remembered by all as a sweet, gentle, brilliant old friend