Dr. Yong Hwa Park, age 92 of Novi, passed away March 24, 2026.

Born on January 3, 1934, in Buyeo, South Korea, Yong Hwa came of age during the Korean War, an experience that helped shape his resilience and determination. He graduated from Seoul National University Medical School in 1958, and went on to serve as a surgeon in the MASH unit in the Korean Army, obtaining the rank of major.

In 1965, Yong Hwa married Chungsuk (Helen) Kim, and together they raised a family while building their life together. In 1966, he immigrated to the United States, where he continued his training at Emory University and completed his residency at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Park was a highly respected general thoracic cardiovascular surgeon who was deeply dedicated to his profession and took great pride in his work. He served the community of Livingston County for over 30 years practicing at McPherson Community Hospital with offices in Howell and Brighton. He was widely recognized for his contributions to the field of medicine, including publishing several clinical research papers with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). A true innovator, he was among the first surgeons to implant a pacemaker and an early practitioner of laparoscopic surgery, helping to advance modern surgical techniques.

Beyond his medical career, Dr. Park lived a rich and well-rounded life. He enjoyed golf and loved to play the game of Baduk, known in English as Go. He had a deep appreciation for nature and music, even taking up piano lessons in his 60s. A lifelong learner with a curious and intellectual spirit, he embraced new ideas and technologies, often being among the first to explore them including cell phones. This passion extended to his love of automobiles, from his first Lincoln Continental to even trying to test drive a self-driving car in his 90s, although family and friends would gently note that his talents were better suited to the operating room than behind the wheel.

Dr. Park was a devoted Christian and a longtime member and elder at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Metro Detroit. Alongside his wife, he supported numerous charitable efforts through the church and participated in medical mission trips to Africa, Guatemala, and Mexican migrant communities.

Dr. Yong Hwa Park will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Yong Hwa was the beloved husband of the late Dr. Chungsuk (Helen) K. Park for 55 years; loving father of Sung (Gregory) Park Davis, Samuel Y. Park and Susan Denice (Chong Soo) Park Kim; cherished grandfather of Kathryn (Dominic) Davis Zabell, Ryan Davis and Corwin Kim; dear brother of Jae Hwa Park, Kyong Hwa Park, Yoo Hwa Park, Bom Hwa Park, Hyun Soon Park, Song Hwal Park, and the late Chun Ja Park; and son of the late Young Woo Park and Ok Geum Sohn Park.

Visitation for Dr. Park will be held on Wednesday, April 1st, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of his Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. Burial will follow in Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, Novi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dr. Park’s name can be made to Parkinson’s Foundation.

A memorial video tribute for Dr. Yong Hwa Park can be viewed at: Dr. Yong Hwa Park Video Tribute