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.
Mark was a loving husband, father, brother, papou, friend, and teacher. He had a rare ability to make every person feel valued and heard, and he moved through the world with grace and humility.
Mark devoted 40 years to caring for others as a surgeon, mentor, and respected leader in the field of head and neck surgery. Over the course of his career, which included being the Chairman of the Otolaryngology Department 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 innovative surgical skill and 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.
Mark did not just treat his patients, but took the time to truly know them and care for their whole person. Inspired by his love for his patients and Mark’s own experience fighting cancer, he worked to establish a cancer survivorship program at Mass Eye and Ear, leaving a legacy of compassion and service.
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.
The visitation will be 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 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.
Mark A. Varvares Memorial Fund at Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Mark Varvares, MD, Otolaryngology Resident Education and Travel Fund