Theodore Apa's Obituary
Theodore Apa, M.D.
Theodore Apa, 87, of Tacoma, Washington, died on Friday, April 6, 2012, at home with his family.
Born January 19, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, Ted was the sixth of seven children of Adeline and Frank Apa, both immigrants from southern Italy. As a child during the Depression, he never forgot his hard working roots. Ted was a lifelong advocate for others less fortunate than he.
Drafted in 1943, Ted served his country in World War II. An infantryman in
the 45th Division, he fought in some of the most difficult conditions of the war at Anzio, Italy and later in France and Germany, and was awarded the Purple Heart.
After the war, he attended both undergraduate and medical school on the GI Bill, receiving both degrees from the University of Illinois. Joined by several colleagues, in 1953 he headed west to Tacoma for his internship at Pierce County Hospital, where he met his future wife, Gerrie Ackerman. They married in 1955.
Ted began family practice in Parkland, Washington, then served as assistant director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department before entering a pathology residency in 1960 under Dr. Charles Larson. Subsequently, Ted co-founded AKE Laboratories, which provided pathology services for much of Pierce County through the 1980's.
Ted was a voracious reader, and found bookstores irresistible. He was a lover of the opera, symphony and stage, and enjoyed them with friends. A devoted sports fan, Ted lived the agony and the ecstasy of his local teams' fortunes. He cherished time spent with his wife and family, especially on trips together.
Ted is survived by his wife, Gerrie, two children, Mary Ann Woodruff, University Place, WA, and James Apa, Seattle, WA, son-in-law Mitch Woodruff, and grandchildren Ariel Woodruff, Piper Leiper (husband Vaughan Leiper), and Alec Woodruff. Ted is also survived by brother, Jasper Apa, Des Plaines, IL, sister, Mary Larson, Birmingham, AL and half-brother, Salvatore Apa, Langhorne, PA.
Mass will be held for Ted on Thursday, April 12 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Spanaway, WA. A reception will follow at Tacoma Golf and Country Club beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Nativity House, 2304 S. Jefferson, Tacoma, WA 98402. Thank you to the legion of Ted's caregivers, MultiCare hospice staff, family and friends.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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