Gene Tenke, Watchtower spokesman
09/13/02
Alana Baranick
Plain Dealer Reporter
Bay Village
Gene Tenke religiously knocked on doors in Cleveland's medical community for more than 20 years, carrying a briefcase filled with literature to explain the Jehovah's Witnesses' objections to blood transfusions.
He spoke to doctors, nurses, judges and bioethics committees, quoting what those who share his religious beliefs consider to be biblical injunctions against injecting, ingesting or transfusing blood.
"If you come at us with a bag of blood, we're gonna fight," he told a group of doctors in 1998. "It's not a medical issue with us. It's a religious issue. And it's not negotiable."
As a result of Tenke's persistence and persuasiveness, some Cleveland-area hospitals have developed what are called "bloodless" surgical practices. The blood that a patient sheds during surgery is cleaned by a machine and put back into the patient, eliminating the need for a trans fusion. The procedures are available to all patients, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Eugene D. Tenke, 77, died of complica tions from con gestive heart failure Tuesday at his home in Bay Village.
"He taught us that we health-care workers could do a much better job in providing high-quality, cost-effective health care by reducing the amount of blood transfusions in medical practice," said Dr. Benjamin J. Reichstein, director of surgery at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. "Mr. Tenke had a dignity that, combined with his warm, congenial personality, was hard to resist.
"He endeared himself to others from the moment of his first smile and handshake."
Tenke, a Cleveland native, graduated from West Technical High School.
For many years, he sold Vollrath stainless steel cookware through dinner party demonstrations in private homes. In addition to selling to Cleveland-area residents, he peddled his pots and pans in the Amish communities of Holmes and Wayne counties.
As the longtime spokesman for the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, Tenke often talked with reporters about religious issues and events. He also served as an elder for several congregations in western Cuyahoga County, including the Lakewood congregation.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruth; son, Daniel of Avon Lake; daughters, Nancy Wise, Judy Muscella and Marcy Gaige, all of Lakewood, and Cindy Cady of Sarasota, Fla.; his mother, Rose of Lakewood; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Lakewood Civic Auditorium, 14100 Franklin Blvd., Lakewood.
Donations may be made to the Lakewood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, P.O. Box 814, Brunswick 44212.
Arrangements are by Malloy Memorial Service of Cleveland.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4828