DOMINGO H. USEDA

USEDA, DOMINGO H., M.D., 85, of McAllen, Texas, passed away on June 7, 2011 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. He was born in Leon, Nicaragua in 1925 to Timotea Hernandez Fonseca Useda and Domingo Useda Valle, both preceding him in death. Also preceding him in death were his paternal grand- parents Domingo Useda and Maria de Jesus Valle and his maternal grandparents, Segundo Hernandez and Rosa Fonseca; brothers Luis E. Useda Hernandez, Hugo Useda Hernandez, Tomas O. Useda Hernandez, sister Maruca A. Useda Gutierrez and his beloved first wife, Isabel Guthrie Useda. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Elena Useda and children, Juan A. Garcia and wife, Kelly Garcia, daughter Celina Garcia and husband, Adrian Anderson; sister, Yelva Cerda and her husband, Manuel Cerda, Jr.; his children, Charlotte Anne Useda Harpster and her husband, Howard Wayne Harpster, and children Emily Harpster Palmer, Sarah Harpster Salmon, Caroline E. Harpster and Katherine A. Harpster; Bradford Domingo Useda and his wife, Jennifer Useda, and children Lindsey Useda, Steven Useda and Heather Useda; Rick Useda and wife, Linda Useda; Lauren Useda Law and husband, Gordon, and children Savannah S. Law and Nicholas A. Law; Janet Useda Stroud and husband, Allen Stroud, and children Katharine L. Stroud, Cole A. Stroud and Claire M. Stroud; Robin S. Useda and her daughter. Dr. Useda obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Universidad Nacional de Nicaragua in 1948. As valedictorian he received his Medical Degree from the same institution in 1952. He chose to 'go abroad' for his post-graduate medical training, interning at Touro Infirmary, New Orleans, 1952-1953; serving as an anatomical pathology resident at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, 1953-1954; and completing his anatomical and clinical pathology training with Dr. A. O. Severance at Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas from 1954-1957. He became Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology in 1960. His pathology career began in 1957 at the Torbett Clinic- Hospital, Marlin, TX as Director of Pathology and as Consultant in Pathology to the VA Hospital. In 1959, his native Nicaragua was anxious for him to return as Professor of Pathology with the assurances that an illustrious academic future waited him. After much soul searching, Dr. Useda considered the uncertain political climate of Nicaragua, and resolved to make his career and rear his family in a free country. In 1960, as a pioneering medical professional, he established his private practice in McAllen, Texas. He became a Nationalized United States citizen in 1962. Dr. Useda was Director of Pathology Services at McAllen General Hospital from 1960-1982; Owner/Director of Mid Valley Laboratory of Pathology in Weslaco, 1963-1982; Pathology Services Director at Knapp Medical Hospital, 1977-1982; Pathology Services Direct or, Edinburg Hospital, 1983-1995; Medical Director at Rio Grande Valley Blood Systems, Director of Pathology Services at Mission Hospital and Starr County Hospital, Lab Director at Medical Arts Clinical Laboratory, 1974-1999 and Director Pathology Services at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, 1982-2007. Dedicated to assuring quality in the medical laboratory, he served as Director of Medical Technology at the University of Texas-Pan American program under the auspices of University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he held an appointment as Associate Professor. Dr. Useda was a participant in over 35 professional committees and a member of several professional organizations including the Hidalgo County Medical Society, Texas Society of Pathologists and College of American Pathologists to name a few. In 1993 he received the distinguished George Thomas Caldwell Award, the highest recognition that can be awarded in the field of pathology. Dr. Useda was also involved at the community level as a member of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society as district director; board member of the America Heart Association, director of several banks and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. Jude Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Kreidler Funeral Home, 314 North 10th Street, McAllen, Texas from 4p.m. to 8p.m. Wednesday, June 8 and Thursday at 12:00p.m. The rosary will be at 7p.m. Funeral mass service will be at 10a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church in Pharr, Texas. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity in his name. Arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home, McAllen, Texas. www.kreidlerfuneralhome.com View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.