(Note from Erin: We just wrote this story today and as you can see we never put this doctor in the holistic doctor deaths series, despite the fact that Dr. Mark Hausknecht was a Buddhist and was very much into health, riding his bike to work in extremely hot Houston in July.)
Police now believe that former President George H.W. Bush’s one-time doctor, cardiologist Mark Hausknecht, was likely “targeted” when he was shot to death by a mystery gunman in Houston at the end of last month. Hausknecht, 65, was killed in broad daylight as he rode his bicycle in a residential neighborhood. The shooter, who was also riding a bike, rode past the doctor and turned to fire two shots.1
The former president released a statement about the doctor’s death, through his spokesman, saying:
“Mark was a fantastic cardiologist and a good man. I will always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care. His family is in our hearts.”2
According to the president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital, Hausknecht had been heading to work when he was fatally shot.
Authorities in Houston released the surveillance video and images from their investigation (see above) and were initially searching for a white or Hispanic man, about 30 years old (see the composite sketch below) but now believe that the gunman was Joseph James Pappas, 62.
Twenty years ago the man’s mother died during surgery performed by Dr. Mark Hausknect. Chief Art Acevedo said, “It appears a 20-year-old grudge and sadly someone died.”3 Acevedo said a tip came in after the above surveillance video was released.
Hausknecht was a much loved Buddhist, dedicated gardener and former Boy Scout leader. Speaking about the doctor, Randall Hulet, a physics professor at Rice University who has been a close friend to Hausknecht and his family over 30 years said,
“It is absolutely unimaginable for anyone to have an issue with Mark. There aren’t many people who were as warm and unpretentious as he was.”4
We will update you as more information becomes available.
