Dr. Ali Bülent Manguoglu, 69, of Salina, KS passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his daughters and wife on April 4th, 2023, with the support of Gentiva Hospice. Dr. Manguoglu was born in Izmir, Turkey, on May 12th, 1953.
He graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey in 1976, and then attended Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, Dept. of General Surgery as a 1st year resident. Ali’s journey in the United States started at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, Dept. of General Surgery, then onto the University of Kansas School of Medicine, KC, KS, Dept. of Neurological Surgery (rock chalk!) for his Neurosurgery Residency. Ali then ventured to the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, Dept. of Neurosurgery, Registrar/Fellow, and finally the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, SHOCK-TRAUMA Unit, Neurotrauma Fellowship.
Dr. Manguoglu’s board certifications include the American Board of Neurological Surgery and Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, UK in Surgical Neurology (SN.) Ali established “Salina Neurological Surgery” practice in 1985, and then established (with Salina Regional Health Center) “Salina Regional Neurosurgery.” He retired in 2019 due to health conditions. He proudly served Salina and surrounding communities for nearly 35 years.
Not only was Dr. Manguoglu a world-renowned Neurosurgeon, but lived each day to the fullest, as if it were his last – travelling the world with his family and creating an endless book of stories. His favorite hobbies included listening and dancing to music, cooking, skiing, gardening, and rescuing animals.
Unfortunately, Dr. Ali B. Manguoglu lost his battle with terminal cancer and Parkinson’s disease after he fought hard to continue normalcy and create as many memories as he could in his final year, such as visiting his daughters and grandchildren, taking a final trip to Turkey and a memorable weekend in Kansas City at Tasso’s and Arthur Bryant’s.
Survivors include his wife, Georgia Manguoglu, daughters Ayse Heisdorf and Safiye Williams, their husbands John Heisdorf and Mark Williams, and stepdaughter Heather Jones. Ali is also survived by his grandchildren Kai and Koa Williams and Ayla Heisdorf, as well as brothers Enis and Turgut Manguoglu. Ali was preceded in death by his stepson Steven Jones, and parents Fetih Manguoglu and Ahter Alkum.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 7th, at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St., Salina, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th, at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.
Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson’s research, care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth Street, Salina Kansas.