Alfred Joseph Tector, Jr., MD

Mequon - Alfred J. Tector, Jr., MD affectionately known as "Cy" 86, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Cy was born May 29, 1934, in Utica New York to Mariea and Alfred Tector and had 3 siblings, Nancy, Janie (deceased), and John. He attended elementary and high school in Utica graduating at the young age of 16. Shortly thereafter Cy enrolled in the Army serving as a medical responder on an Army ambulance in the Korean War between 1951- 1953. It was during this time period that Cy's passion for the medical field and caring for the sick was ignited. He attended and graduated from Utica College and then went on to attend medical school at St Louis University School of Medicine, earning a medical degree in 1963. In that same year he married his soul- mate, Joy Kelly, the head operating room nurse who he met while working at the St. Louis University Hospital. In 1970 he completed a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Iowa.

Following his residency, Cy and Joy moved their family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1970 where he began his career as heart surgeon at Aurora's St. Luke's Hospital, and became a renowned physician who devoted almost 50 years of his professional life to transforming cardiac care. Cy, a pioneer in cardiac thoracic surgery performed over 14,000 open heart operations in his lifetime-literally touching the hearts and lives of thousands of patients and their families. His ongoing desire to perform the perfect operation led him to many innovations along the way, among those include co-inventing the Von Hippel-Tector chest bottle, performing the second heart transplant in Wisconsin in 1984, implanting the first successful Jarvik Total Artificial Heart in Wisconsin in 1986, and creating his very own innovative mammary artery graft, aptly named the "T" graph. In addition, he authored or co-authored over a hundred academic research publications in his lifetime.

Cy's significant impact on health care expanded beyond the operating room; he was also instrumental in starting a clinical engineering program for perfusionists in collaboration with the Milwaukee School of Engineering ("MSOE") in 1983. Thereafter, Cy served as a clinical professor for MSOE for the perfusionist program during his clinical tenure. Cy also served as a member of the Board of Regents for MSOE as well as an advisor to various medical companies.

Cy's work ethic and character were inspirational. His values were deeply rooted in service to others and loyalty to those he loved. He provided a model to be emulated by us all. Cy was a man whose actions spoke louder than his words. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. When he wasn't working, he also found time to find balance in his life, by swimming daily, mowing the lawn or tinkering on his Oliver tractor.

Cy was best known for his calm demeanor, down to earth attitude, generosity, unselfishness, humility and dry sense of humor. His sparkly blue eyes, and his silent laugh that made his shoulders shake were endearing and unforgettable. His utter devotion to his wife, Joy and their family, and friends and the patients he cared so much about was paramount. He was beloved and admired by all that knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joy Kelly and children; Joe (Kelly) Tector, Matt (Tracy) Tector, Leslie Tector and Kelly (Steve) Migliero. He is the proud grandfather of David, Haley, Tommy, Emily, and Lilly Tector, Mosely and Atticus Tector, Kelly Anne and Jack Schroeder, Steve, Madeline, Charlotte and Justin Migliero, and great grandfather to Winnie Tector. His family was incredibly important to him, and each of his children followed in his footsteps to become professionals in some aspect of the health care field.

Family will celebrate his life in a private service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association (via website) or The Alzheimer's Association (620 S. 76th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53214) are greatly appreciated by the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Dec. 12 to Dec. 13, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Tector

Sponsored by Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral and Cremation Services.

24 Entries

George E SCLIFFET

March 4, 2021

My deepest sympathy to Dr. Tector's family. I was one those that he literally touched my heart on May 5th 2004 doing multiple bypass surgery.
I recovered better than new and for over seventeen years have enjoyed a full and productive life. Thank you.

Jason Smith

February 9, 2021

Our Condolence's, you were the Man who gave my dad life, and made history. On behalf of the family of Ronald Louis Smith, when you implanted the first successful Jarvik Total Artificial Heart in Wisconsin in 1986. Rest well and your legacy lives in all the survivor's of each heart you literally touched

Edith Sledge

February 3, 2021

Hi my name is Edith Sledge l am very sorry for your loss l meet Dr. Tector 14 years ago and l think of him often l am sorry it took this long for me to Thank him personally. He was my heart pyhsetion for a Double Bypass on January 7 2007 Thank you thank you thank you Dr Tector for your professional expertise your heart felted kindness l will always keep you and your family close to my heart ❤

Jackie Boedecker

January 10, 2021

So sorry of your loss - Learned a lot from this wonderful man- So so good to me working for him for so many years- Bring up his children or dogs and he would talk for sometime- He will certainly be missed- loved him like a father and roll model- Rest In Peace dear man- Take care Joy (thinking of you and your beautiful family)

John Ipavec

December 27, 2020

I would like to send my condolences to the Tector family. I was fortunate to have become very good friends with Dr Tector for many years and loved having the opportinity to help him out working on his property over the years. I will miss you greatly Doc.

Bruce P Frank MD/ St Louis,Mo

December 23, 2020

If an obituary could do him justice that came close. My time spent with him (1979-80) during my General Surgical training at St Lukes was the best in every possible way . A lovely little giant of a man in every respect. And a surgical artest of the highest quality.

'I should not look upon his like again' ... Hamlet act I scene II

Erin DeBoer, MPAS, PA-C

December 19, 2020

Dr. Tector was my very first attending MD after I graduated PA school. I adored working with him and he taught me so very much. He wrote countless letters of recommendations for me, and I will always cherish the time and knowledge he shared with me. Wishing his wife and family strength and love during this difficult time.

Brian Ellis

December 16, 2020

Just wanted to thank Dr. Tector and his team for saving my life. In March 1993 he transplanted a slightly used heart (19 years old) into me and here I am, almost 28 years later and it's still ticking. I have had no setbacks of note to date. Thank you. Thank you.

Kathy Princer

December 15, 2020

Dear Dr. Tector's family,

Dr. Tector was one of the most amazing people that I have ever known! I smiled as I read his obituary and heard the comments about his silent shoulder laugh, I can still picture it to this day! I used to love to get him to laugh. I truly owe my career to Dr. Tector, he had such a vision for our VAD program and helped me build my career. He was such a pioneer in the field, so amazingly brilliant and yet so humble. The miracles that I saw him perform in OR were phenomenal. Dr. Tector saved so many lives and always did it so quietly and unassumingly. I was always impressed when I went to conferences with him, I knew how smart he was, but to watch him absorb everything that was said, it always impressed me. I remember when he invited me to his honorary degree ceremony at MSOE, I was so touched that he would invite me to such a celebration! He will truly be missed, but never forgotten. To this day, I always tell my children what an amazing man Dr. Tector was. Dr. Tector was always so proud of his family and shared such awesome stories of all you! God bless him and God bless his family, all of you are in my thoughts!

Kathy Princer

James Unger, PA-C

December 15, 2020

I was honored simply to read his academic papers and learn about his approaches to Cardiovascular Surgery. I would have enjoyed meeting him, but felt like I knew him through his writing. He transmitted humility and respect for a great surgical specialty, God bless Dr. Tector and his family,

Judy Evenson

December 14, 2020

To Joy and family,
I was a new nurse in the early 1980’s and worked at St. Luke’s on the cardiac intermediate care unit. Dr. Tector was a surgeon I admired for his gentle approach with his patients and kindness to those who worked with him. He was a brilliant and humble clinician who cared for his patients. An Angel on Earth has gone to Heaven. God Bless, Judy Collins Evenson, APNP

Dr Navin S Thakur MD

December 14, 2020

Sad to hear. I watched him operate at St Joseph's at west Kinnickinnic River , in 1986 while aspiring to be a cardiac surgery resident. Was impressed by his perfect circular pursestrings stitches on heart /right atrium during cannulation & handling of the mammary artery for multiple jumps. Very impressive.

Dawn Tabat

December 14, 2020

So sorry for your loss. I am a regent at MSOE and have seen the contribution he has made to this university. What an accomplished man having lived an extraordinary life.

Kathy Lephart

December 14, 2020

I worked for Midwest Heart Surgery for almost 21 years. It was my first and only job while I lived in the area. I started when it was just Dr Tector and Dr Schmahl and watched as his practice grew. It was always a honor and privilege to say I worked for this fine man and his organization. I was so sad to hear of Dr. Tector’s passing. My condolences to his wife Joy and his family. Joy was so kind to all of Dr. Tectors staff and I’m sure his loss is a difficult one. Many great memories and people I had the pleasure of working with.
May many wonderful memories get you through this difficult time.

Elaine Wessel, BSN, RN

December 14, 2020

I’ll never forget watching Dr. Tector work in the OR when I was a nursing student. As a stood on a step stool at the patient’s head, Dr Tector described his work as he performed 4 bypass grafts. It was absolutely fascinating to me - his precision, expertise, leadership, and generosity toward me as a student. I think about all of the people whose lives Dr. Tector has saved, the advances he has made in surgical technique, and the contributions he has given to the science. What an incredible legacy! God bless you, Dr Tector. God bless and comfort your family.

Karen Hinkes

December 13, 2020

Dr. Tector was an amazing CV surgeon! I loved when I could make him laugh. I knew when meeting him the first time that he was a brilliant surgeon. He made CVICU great ! I was honored to work with him.
Please know your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen Hinkes RNBSN

Dave Cohen

December 13, 2020

Everyone in my family was so sorry to hear about Dr. Tector's passing. Many ofmy fondest childhood memories involve time spent with Dr. Tector and the whole Tector family to whom he was so devoted.

Theworld has lost a great human being, a warm and gentle soulthat was such a positive force and did so much good. He will be missed terribly.

Cheryl Dondlinger

December 13, 2020

Condolences to all of his family. So sad to hear this. I have to say it is strange that I have had Dr. Tector in my thoughts lately, not sure why but thinking about him this past week. And then to see his obituary today....Took care of many of his heart transplant patients. Remember his quiet and calm demeanor...man of few words. Always great respect for him and his surgical team! May he Rest In Peace at God’s right hand.✝

Richard Duchelle

December 13, 2020

Dear Joy,
I got to know Cy when he returned to Milwaukee from Cleveland and I was aware of his reputation before meeting him. We had a short but meaningful association at St. Joseph’s, but I was always in awe of his skill and work ethic. My patients benefitted immeasurably from his innovative approach to their problem. His contributions in the treatment of heart disease will live on.
My sincere condolences. Dick Duchelle, M.D.

Tessa Bruno

December 13, 2020

Dr Tector was an exemplary heart surgeon who was an expert in his field. I enjoyed learning about heart surgery, for he was a wealth of knowledge. He was a quiet surgeon and possessed calmness which is a rare virtue .

LyAnne Halverson

December 13, 2020

I was so saddened to hear that Dr. Tector had passed away. Working with him in the early 70’s then subsequently in organ procurement was such an honor. I remember calling to discuss a possible organ donation with him and Joy would say he was out on his tractor and he’d call me right back. And that he did. He was a brilliant, kind, never treating anyone badly and with his calm demeanor it was easy to talk to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May your memories of your times together bring you peace.

Kace Kaiser

December 13, 2020

Dr Tector was a true humanitarian and wonderful individual. Words can’t describe my sadness at his passing. I will always remember his passion for helping people, devotion to doing what’s right and his funny shoulder shaking silent laugh.

Sue Amundsen

December 12, 2020

I have been so sad this past week after hearing that Dr. Tector had passed away and I am so sorry for your loss. I worked for Dr. Tector as a physician assistant from 1989-1995. It was my first job out of PA school and to this day it has always been my favorite job. He was such a wonderful person to work for and I credit him with giving me the best group of friends a person could have. My friends Karen, Beth, and Jill were all PAs that worked for him as well and Lorie, Paulette and Debbie were OR techs. Unfortunately Debbie is no longer with us but the 6 of us have a bond that has been so strong and we still remain very close and I still get together with them 1-2 times a year even though I have been living back in Iowa for over 20 years. It was such an honor to work with him even though it was only for about 6 years. He was so kind and thoughtful, he even invited me to spend Thanksgiving with your family one year when I was on call and could not get back to Iowa to spend it with my family. Not surprisingly your mom was just as wonderful to me that day and any other time i would see her. I just wanted to let you all know that I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers and that even thought it has been 25 years since I left my job at Midwest Heart Surgery it feels like just yesterday when I was standing across the surgery table from him watching his shoulders bounce up and down with his silent laugh. I have thought about him through out the years and I hope he had lots of time to enjoy his family and all his grandkids because I know how much he loved kids. My father passed away in 2006 due to Alzheimers and even though it was so hard to lose him we all knew that he was in a much better place and our memories of him are what sustain us even to this day. Your wonderful memories will do the same. Take care.

Paul Seifert, M.D.

December 12, 2020

Dear Joy and family, I was so fortunate to be a partner to Cy at St. Luke's. He was a kind, patient, inspiring mentor who touched so many in his career. I admired him greatly. Truly a giant in cardiac surgery, on whose shoulders so many of us stood to achieve success for our patients.

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