Vincent Amar

Amar, M.D., Vincent Francis

Dr. Vincent F. Amar, made his final journey home in faith with his family by his side at the age of 98, due to pneumonia, just two months to the day of his beloved wife's funeral. Dr. Amar was born on October 12, 1913 in Rockland Lake New York. He lost his father at the age of 13 and became the rock of the family to his younger sister, brother and mother. He struggled financially working several jobs in order to attend the University of Alabama as an engineering major. After a summer job as a med tech aide he found his passion. He immediately changed his major to pre-medicine. Upon graduation he attended Hahnemann University Medical College in Philadelphia as a Junior Intern at Crozier Hospital (in PA) and as an Intern St. Johns Riverside Hospital (NY). Dr. Amar later joined the United States Army Air Force in 1941. He was a Squadron Flight Surgeon, Captain, of the 51st Fighter Group and he initiated and then directed a 46/92 Bed Hospital in Assam India from 1941-42 during WWII. He received his Flight Surgeon Final Certification graduating from the School of Aviation Medicine in San Antonia Texas in 1944. He was a Surgical Resident at Mather Field Hospital and after an honorable discharge following WWII he became a surgical resident at U.S.C. County Hospital (where his love for USC began) followed by another surgical residency at Santa Fe Hospital (following his passion for surgery). He was an Admitting ER Physician at LACMC in Los Angeles beginning in 1948 (later saying that was the best training to learn the art of Diagnosing). After a year he opened his Family Practice in Pasadena. He was Co-Founder, then Director of the Hemodialysis Center at the Pasadena Community Hospital while serving as Chief of Staff from 1967 to 1969. Dr. Amar was a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice (continuing to recertify through the age of 80). He cherished the years he was the Family Practice Department Chair at Methodist Hospital from 1991 to 1995. He never lost his passion and love for medicine. He was the "Marcus Welby" of his time. Early on he delivered babies, performed surgeries, and made house calls. He loved his work and his patients. The highlight of his days was performing Flight Physicals, as a Class I Senior Aviation Examiner, not only for the weekend warrior pilots but the Commercial Airline Pilots along with the Pasadena Police Helicopter Pilots. He worked until he was 86 years of age assisting in an appendectomy surgery just days before his retirement and diagnosing a brain aneurysm the day before he closed the doors to his practice. Dr. Amar and his wife Shirl (married 64 years) had five babies, three sons and two daughters. Dr. Amar dedicated his life to medicine. He was a Gibraltar and rock to his family, a gentle soul with firm conviction. He had a passion for photography and always had his camera by his side. He loved the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and enjoyed it vicariously through his daughter Stacy's affiliation with the Association. Dr. Amar was a faithful husband, loyal to his family and an anchor to all. He was an inspiration for all with his perseverance. He was respected and loved by all who knew him and will be missed so dearly. Dr. Amar joined his wife Shirley Amar, his son Vincent Francis ("Michael") Amar and Baby Amar, who preceded him in death. Dr. Amar is survived by his daughter Sharon O'Donnell, son Robert "Jake" Amar, daughter Dr. Stacy Houser (husband Kevin Houser) grandson Sean O'Donnell, granddaughter Sarah Amar, grandson Joseph Amar, Nita Amar and Johnny O'Donnell.
Viewing will be Tuesday from 6-8pm at Cabot & Sons Chapel, Pasadena. Funeral Mass is Wednesday at 10:00 am at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Los Angeles. Interment immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City followed by a gathering at Casa Calderon Restaurant in San Gabriel.