Dr. John Michael Karibo, BGen AFNG(Ret)

[BLUEHAWK]

John Michael Karibo M.D.












KARIBO, JOHN MICHAEL M.D., 80, of Louisville, lost his 27-year battle with Churg-Strauss Syndrome on the evening of November 5, 2010, peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Madge Karibo; sister, Patricia Ann Karibo O.S.B.; infant son, James Thomas Karibo; and infant granddaughter, Theresa Lynn Poynter.

He is survived by his "bride" of 57 years, Norma Scully Karibo; his three loving daughters, Karen Karibo Hochwalt (Michael), of Dayton, OH, Theresa Karibo Poynter (Timothy), of Fernandina Beach, FL and Patricia Karibo Kitchens (Jerry), of Birmingham, AL; his siblings, Mary Elizabeth Kenney, James R. Karibo, of Louisville and Louis C. Karibo of Lexington, KY. He is also survived by his 12 spirited and adoring grandchildren, John Michael Hochwalt, Tara Sheridan Poynter, Bryan McGregor Poynter, David Michael Hochwalt, Timothy Karibo Poynter, Sean Campbell Poynter, Paul Michael Hochwalt, William Payne Kitchens, Lindley Elizabeth Kitchens, Mary Campbell Kitchens, Anna Catharine Kitchens and Cecilia Rose Kitchens.

He was a proud graduate of Flaget High school in 1948. He then began his military career as an enlisted aircraft mechanic in the United States Air Force Reserve where he was assigned to a Troop Carrier Wing stationed at Godman Field in Fort Knox, KY. During January of 1952 he was assigned as an Aviation Cadet at Bainbridge, GA, Class 53-A. Following graduation from Basic Flight Training he was sent to Laredo AFB, Texas for advanced flight training in the T-33 aircraft. He received his commission and pilot rating in January 1953 and proceeded to Moody AFB, Georgia for All Weather Instrument Instruction School. After a three year tour instructor at Wichita AFB, KS he returned to Louisville. In 1956 he joined the Kentucky Air National Guard as a fighter pilot in the 165th Fighter- Interceptor Squadron. He served as Flight Commander and Instrument Examiner. During this time he flew both the F-86 and B-57.

He then began at the University of Louisville and graduated with a B.A degree in 1958, followed by a medical degree in 1963. After receiving his medical degree he subsequently attended the Primary Course in Aerospace Medicine qualifying him for appointment as Pilot Physician, a position he maintained until 1967. At that juncture he found it imperative to temporarily sever his membership with the KyANG because of the uniquely stringent demands of his medical training as an allergy fellow at the University of Cincinnati. Upon completion of his post- graduate work he rejoined the KyANG as commander, 123rd Tactile Hospital until his appointment as the Assistant adjutant General for Air on February 7th, 1981. General Karibo received his federal recognition as Brigadier General on December 14, 1981. He was also a longtime member of the Q.B's (Quiet Birdmen).

He then began his own private practice in Allergy and Immunology in 1969 as a board certified pediatric allergist. He was active in local, state and national medical associations, as well as the American Academy of Allergy and the American College of Allergy. He is a past president of the Kentucky Society of Allergy and Immunology, and has served on numerous medical as well as service organization committees. Dr. Karibo had been a member of the Louisville Rotary Society for many years.

He had served as Assistant Clinical Instructor of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine as well as Director and Assistant Professor of the Pediatric Allergy Section at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Karibo had also been Associate Clinic Professor and Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville. Dr. Karibo served as director of the University of Louisville Allergy Training Program and was actively involved in the teaching of Medical Fellows in the specialty of Allergy. He was also an Emeritus Clinical Professor at U of L and was endowed a chair at U of L in Clinical Allergy and Immunology in 2002, with an annual lecture series in his name to commemorate his honor. More recently, he received a 30-year service award from Hazelwood Long-Term Care Facility.

In addition to those mentioned above, he was also a member of the following societies: Jefferson County Medical Society, Kentucky Medical Association, Fellow of American College of Allergy and Immunology, Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Greater Louisville Allergy and Immunology Society, and the Kentucky Society of Allergy and Immunology. He was a charter member of the Archbishop's Catholic Education Committee in 1987, a life member of the YMCA, Audubon Country Club and was a longtime member of St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church.

To his family, he was the archetypal patriarch. Filled with unfettering love, respect and compassion, he was the definition of Christ's love. Always a true gentlemen he will forever remain the standard. The man he was will live on in our hearts and in our daily affirmations. We know him as "Bappy," the greatest husband, father and grandfather a family could ever ask for. We are lucky to have had him in our lives and his presence was our miracle. His true being and influence reached far and touched many. We will miss him dearly. As he would say "Now, let's get this daggum thing over before my clothes go out of style."

Visitation will be held at the Ratterman Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40207, Wednesday November 10, 2010 from 2-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church, 1104 S. 6th St., Louisville, KY 40203, Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery Special thanks to Dr. John T. Kenny, his nephew, for his diligent care, and, to Mary Tyler for her generous devotion to the Karibo family. Expressions of sympathy may be made to: John M. Karibo Fund for Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the University of Louisville HSC Development Alumni Office, 132 E. Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202 or Kentucky Right to Life, (http://www.krla.org), 134 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, KY 40207.