Thomas J. VECCHIO M.D.

Inspired by the book, "The Microbe Hunters", Tom knew as a youth he wanted a life of medicine and science. Always bright and precocious, he was admitted at the age of 16 to the pre-med program at Manhattan College, New York and went on to earn an MD from The Harvard Medical School. Subsequently, he was Board Certified in Internal Medicine and was later inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Physicians. Returning from his Korean War military service, serving as a Company Commander in the Army Medical Corps, he entered into the solo practice of internal medicine in Michigan. He then moved to Kentucky to become Associate Director of Internal Medicine for one of the first HMO hospitals established in the U.S., operated by the United Mine Workers. Satisfying his interest in scientific research, he later joined the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan as Chief of Clinical Research, leading domestic and international drug development programs for a variety of drugs, including: Ibuprofen; Depo-Provera; Minoxidil and Cortaid. His concern for providing family planning opportunities to developing areas of the world gave him the opportunity to speak at the United Nations in 1971 on behalf of population issues, contributing to the availability world wide of Depo-Provera, an injectable contraceptive. He ended his career at the Syntex Corporation in Palo Alto, CA as Medical Director of International Clinical Research. During his lifetime he contributed many medical and scientific articles and was the author of the book, "The Story of Depo-Provera". Tom was born on June 14, 1924 in New York of second generation Italian immigrant parents and died at home on June 4, 2014. Never bored, he enjoyed retirement, traveled extensively always studying the local language and exploring the area's hills, rivers and back roads. He loved music, played the piano, and especially enjoyed duets with his children; and as an accomplished bridge player, achieved his goal of becoming a Bronze level Life Master. Tom was a founding member of the Santa Rosa Symphony Endowment Committee; a member of the Bodega Harbour Literary Club, and as a man of thoughtful and varied insights, a frequent contributor to the Press Democrat's "Letters to the Editor". Those who were privileged to know him will remember his sweet and modest nature; his tender heart, keen intellect, bright and charming wit and his trademark twinkling eyes. Missing him greatly are his wife of 37 years, Lissa A.(Wasleski) Vecchio; his children Karen, Claudia and Theodore (Lisa M.) Vecchio, step-daughter Sarah Wildfang(Ronan Mohan), grandchildren Thomas and James; Kathryn, Alex and Nicholas, and niece Merilee. All were blessed to be loved by him. The family wishes to thank Parent-Sorensen Mortuary for their kindness and support.