Dr. Eric Turner Vaughn

Colonel Eric T. Vaughn, MD was born July 22, 1960 to Emmett and Katherine (Wood) Vaughn in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the second son born to the Vaughn family following his brother Emmett T. Vaughn Jr. From his early childhood, Eric was exceptionally smart, and academically gifted as well as talented in sports and art, Eric would lead a life on the highest levels of success, professional achievement, and contribution to his family, his patients, and his country; a brilliant mind of his generation.

Colonel Eric T. Vaughn, MD was educated in the St. Louis public school system. Education was a pillar of the Vaughn family household and Eric excelled. He attended early elementary school, grades Kindergarten through fourth grade at Ashland Elementary, and then continued at Wade Elementary which was regarded as a gifted school for grades fifth through eighth. At Wade, a school already recognized for academic rigor, Eric was additionally enrolled in the gifted program for exceptional students. This would come as no surprise to those who knew him. From his earliest days, Eric demonstrated his brilliance and vast capacity for learning rapidly, retaining information and performing as a student at the uppermost levels of academic ability. He matriculated to Northwest High School where he continued his endeavors as an honors student and top tier athlete, lettering in both wrestling and football.

In 1978, Eric entered Northeast Missouri State University in Kirkland, MO. (now Truman State), on a full-ride academic scholarship. There he would continue to uphold his academic goal as a Pre-Med major, a choice that would ultimately lead to his lifelong calling of practicing medicine. On campus, Eric was initiated into the Iota Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. alongside his SS LTD shipmates on March 1st, 1979. During his time in undergrad Eric acquired a paramedic license from Forest Park Community College. While working as a paramedic covering a St. Louis Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium, he successfully resuscitated a patron. Afterwards he told the physician working at the ballpark of his dream to practice medicine. This physician happened to be Dr. Joe Leavitt, the head of diabetes research at Washington University. Eric would come to leave Northeast Missouri State and graduate with a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1982.

On his path toward the medical profession, he went on to enroll as a medical student at Washington University School of Medicine. During his third year of medical school, he joined the Air National Guard, with the 131st Fighter Wing at Lambert Airport being his first base assignment. While completing his fourth year course work he also completed his Air Force Aerospace Medicine Training, graduating that year as a physician and a flight surgeon. He subsequently completed his internship at Vanderbilt University and residency at Howard University. He continued his military service throughout his residency, including tours to Europe and the Middle East. Upon completing his residency in General Surgery in 1998, he moved to Chicago where he worked at Loyola University as assistant professor of surgery. He went on to start his own surgical practice (Suburban Surgical Specialists) and was also affiliated with the Alexian Brothers and Advocate Health Systems in Chicago.

While living and working in Chicago as an active surgeon and military service member, Eric would meet Jennifer Llorens (Vaughn), and they would marry in 2006. They were blessed with two children, a son Eric Turner Jr. and daughter Sydney Nicole. Eric was dedicated to his family even amidst his rigorous professional and military commitments. He took great pride in his family and especially in both of his children. In the end, it was extremely important to him that both his son and daughter would continue their lives knowing the “real” him, building and fostering family memories that they will continue to keep and look upon fondly in his absence.

Even while maintaining a busy surgical practice, Vaughn continued his military service. After moving to Chicago, he joined the Illinois Air National Guard and continued his work as a flight surgeon. His voluntary service led to numerous overseas deployments, with his skill as a surgeon equally balanced by his passion for service and his strong interpersonal and leadership skills. In more than 18 years of service in the Illinois Air Guard, his commander had not seen Vaughn miss a single Unit Training Assembly or “Drill Weekend”. Over the years, Eric continued to rise to the rank of colonel and functioned as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine and Chief of Professional Services, as well as Interim Hospital Commander. In 2015, following a two month tour of duty to the Middle East, he was named the State Air Surgeon for Illinois (Advisor to The Adjutant General of Illinois and lead Flight Surgeon for the three Illinois Air Guard bases) and served at the Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield. Colonel Eric T. Vaughn, MD, Illinois State Air Surgeon, Joint Force Headquarters Illinois Air National Guard,exemplified clinical excellence and service to others.

Mentored through his formative years as a physician, Eric Vaughn, in turn, was also recognized by his colleagues as a superb mentor in his own right. He shared his deployment experiences and trauma expertise with young airmen as well as those who had the honor to work with him in suburban Chicago. He remains recognized for his ability to process and handle multiple situations with calm yet keen focus. While regarded as having above par excellence in both practical and trauma skills, his personal demeanor with patients was extraordinary.

For his exceptional contributions to the field of trauma care and for his selfless service to his state and country, the Washington University Medical Center Alumni Association honored Dr. Vaughn with its highly coveted Alumni Achievement Award in 2017.

Eric was preceded in death by his father Emmett Turner Vaughn Sr., his mother Katherine Wood Vaughn, and his brother, Emmett Turner Vaughn Jr. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Jennifer Lorenz Vaughn, and two children Eric Turner Vaughn Jr. and Sydney Nicole Vaughn of Inverness, IL. His family legacy continues with his nieces, Erica Lee Vaughn (Durham, NC) and Hayley Elizabeth Vaughn (Chicago, IL), nephew Wesley Clayton Vaughn (London, U.K.), and sister-in-law Tracey Brooks Vaughn (Chicago, IL). Additionally he leaves one aunt, Frances Turner Williams (Madison, WI), and two uncles, James Wood Jr. (Feeding Hills, MA.) and John Lawrence Wood (Sacramento, CA). He is also survived by a myriad of cousins, lifelong friends, fraternity brothers, military brothers, and colleagues who will feel, miss his presence, and always remember the meaningful, intentional, and exceptional life he lived.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 3 PM until the memorial service at 7 PM at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich. Interment will be private.