John Tampas

Dr. John Peter Tampas of Colchester, Vermont died peacefully while surrounded by family on Friday, December 6th, 2024. He was born on Saturday, May 18th, 1929, in Burlington's Mary Fletcher Hospital, to Peter John Tampas and Virginia Kokinakos Tampas, immigrants from Greece. John was the devoted husband to the late Kathryn Helen Tampas, also of Greek descent, and a loving father to Jessica Tampas, Peter Tampas, Andrea Yucknut, and Bookies Tampas-Williams. Like his wife, John was raised as an only child but was blessed with eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and an extended community of friends and colleagues all touched by his warmth, compassion, humor, and generosity.
Dr. Tampas earned undergraduate (1951) and medical (1954) degrees from the University of Vermont. He was the chair of the radiology department for 26 years and was honored with many awards for his work in radiology and also as an educator in the College of Medicine.
Dr. Tampas's medical career was marked by continuous service to his profession. In 1956-1957, he volunteered to serve as a US Air Force flight surgeon in Korea and was awarded the rank of captain. From 1988 to 1989, Dr. Tampas served as the American College of Radiology president, and in 1996 he was awarded the ACR Gold Medal for extraordinary and distinguished service. Dr. Tampas served for many years on the Executive Council of the American Roentgen Ray Society and was its president from 1982 to 1983. In 1992, the ARRS awarded Dr. Tampas its Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Radiology. In 1995, he was awarded the UVM Medical Alumni Association's highest award, the Bradley Soule Award. In 2005, the Tampas's established the John & Kathryn Tampas Green & Gold Professorship in Radiology at UVM. Additionally, in 2006, John was honored by the creation of the Soule-Tampas Green & Gold Professorship in Radiology. The Radiology faculty funded this position to honor Dr. Tampas and his predecessor Dr. Bradley Soule.
Dr. Tampas's extraordinary professional life was balanced by a deep commitment to his family, his faith, and his love of the arts and medicine. John was an active parishioner of the Dormition of the Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church in Burlington. Together with his wife Kathy, they were generous benefactors and also enthusiastic patrons of Lyric Theater, The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Vermont.
Dr. John Tampas was a devoted husband, father, parishioner, physician, colleague, mentor, leader, and friend. May his memory be eternal.
Heartfelt thanks to Silver Leaf In-Home Care for the kind support you provided over the last four years, and, later, UVM Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care you brought to John, making his last months comfortable.
A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 11:00 AM at the Dormition of the Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 600 South Willard St, Burlington, VT 05401. A luncheon will follow at the Double Tree by Hilton, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. A private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church John loved, The Dormition of the Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church in Burlington, as well as to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, whose music brought so much joy to both John and Kathryn.