Dr. Muangsombut Jesada, a thoracic and vascular surgeon who was chief of Upper Chesapeake Health System's Division of Thoracic Surgery, died of cardiac arrest Monday at Harford Memorial Hospital. He was 59.

The Darlington resident was born and raised in Prachuab, Thailand. He earned his medical degree from Siriraj Hospital and Medical School's University of Medical Sciences, Mahidol University in Bangkok.

He completed an internship in general surgery at Howard University's Freedman Hospital in Washington, and was a general surgical resident at then-St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore from 1969 to 1972. He was later chief surgical resident at St. Agnes Hospital. He was also a research fellow and later chief resident in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at University of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Jesada served as chief of surgery at Harford Memorial Hospital from 1985 to 1987. He also maintained a private practice since 1976 with offices in Havre de Grace and Forest Hill. At the time of his death, he was chief of Upper Chesapeake Health System's Division of Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Jesada believed that surgeons must have "the eyes of an eagle, the hands of a woman and the heart of a lion," family members said.

Dr. Jesada, who had a private pilot's license and was a member of the Tiger Flying Club at Martin State Airport, enjoyed flying his family to the Eastern Shore and Niagara Falls. He also was an avid gardener.

A Buddhist ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at McComas Funeral Home, 1317 Cokesbury Road in Abingdon.

Dr. Jesada is survived by his wife of 25 years, the former Elizabeth Coleman; a son, Michael Jesada, and a daughter, Rebecca Alice Jesada, all of Darlington; three brothers, Dr. Surasak Muangsombut, Dr. Rakkiat Muangsombut and Wuthichai Muangsombut, all living in Bangkok; and a niece. Another daughter, Joyce Elizabeth Jesada, died in 1981.