Dr. Sergio Roberto Acchiardo

1933 - 2025

Dr. Sergio Roberto Acchiardo of Memphis, TN died on Friday March 7, 2025. was born in Santiago, Chile on November 17, 1933 to Roberto and Carmela Acchiardo. He graduated High School from The National Institute, Graduate School from the University of Chile School of Medicine followed by a Residency at Salvador Hospital in Santiago, Chile. He served eight years in the Chilean Army rising to a rank of Captain. He accepted a Fellowship in Nephrology at the Cleveland Clinic in 1967, later a Fellowship in Research and then as a staff member there. In 1970, he accepted the position of Medical Director of Dialysis at the University of Tennessee and soon after, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine. He became a member of nine prestigious societies, including the American College of Physicians and The American College of Nephrology. He served on twelve committees and was President of the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee. In 1998, he became the Chief of the Division of Nephrology and in 2003, the UTMG Endowed Professorship in Nephrology. He received seven recognitions and in 2008, a Lifetime Award from the NKF of West Tennessee. But his passion was in research and improving patient outcomes. He wrote more than 120 articles and was invited to present papers throughout the globe, including Japan and China. Often traveling with Angelica, the love of his life for 63 years. He loved competition and adventures. His hobbies included racketball, regatta sailing, scuba diving, equestrian jumping, his Spanish book club and tango dancing. But everything he worked for was for his family. He was a loving patriarch that was proud of his large family and celebrated with them for decades, every Sunday for the family lunch. Holding court at the head of the table. We will deeply miss his stories and jokes, his hugs and his profound love. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Maria Angelica. He leaves five children; Maria Stringfellow (Dan), Rod Acchiardo (Lisa), Sole Johnson (Jim), Tino Acchiardo and Chris Acchiardo. Also his eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Visitation will be at Memorial Park on Poplar at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 23, followed by a Celebration Of Life at 4:00 pm and a closing reception. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee.