Theodore Machler

Theodore John Machler, Jr., M.D.
Machler, Theodore "Ted" 94, of Clearwater, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 28, 2025. He had been under the care of Suncoast Hospice for several months. He was surrounded by love with his daughters by his side. His sons, daughter in law, and grandsons were also with him in the weeks and days leading to his passing.
Ted was born in Tulsa, OK on September 10, 1930. He is preceded in death by his father, Theodore, Sr., his mother, Edith, and his beloved wife, Janice. He is survived by his children, Theodore III (Laurene), Karyn, Kurtis (Tracy), and Meredith and his grandsons Spencer and Carter.
Ted had a happy and adventurous childhood. For some time, he lived and went to school on the Tahlequah Cherokee Reservation, where his father was an honorary Chief. He often traveled with his father to sell fireworks. In high school, Ted met his life-long best friend, Jim Ruddle. They were always two peas in a pod and maintained their close friendship throughout their lives. They loved to tell tales of their shenanigans and the stories never failed to bring laughter.
Ted finished undergraduate college then joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Sonar Operator on the submarine U.S.S. Redfin. He was very proud of his time in the Navy. He traveled to distant lands and was, for some time, stationed in Key West, FL, where he fell in love with the Keys, especially Key West. After his time in the Navy, Ted went to medical school at the University of Tennessee Memphis. During this time, he met the love of his life, Janice and they married in 1958. After medical school, Ted and Janice and their first son, Teddy, moved to Topeka, KS where Ted completed his Psychiatric Residency at the Menninger Foundation Clinic. He was mentored by Dr. Karl Menninger, whose teachings he embraced and utilized throughout his 60+ years as a practicing psychiatrist.
When his residency ended, Ted moved his family to St. Petersburg, FL, where he served as an Assistant Medical Director at Bay Pines V.A. Hospital. He went on to have a long-standing, rewarding, and impactful career in Pinellas County. He maintained a private practice, served as Medical Director at several hospitals and psychiatric facilities, served on multiple Boards and committees, and consulted at many hospitals, nursing homes, and Hospice Care Centers. One of his proudest accomplishments was being part of the group that brought Hospice services to the area. Ted's greatest joy was sharing his office and practice for many years with his wife, Janice, who was a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He continued to practice until his retirement, at the age of 89, in 2020.
Ted had a vibrant and fulfilling private life as well. He loved to take his family and friends on adventures with him. He was an avid fossil hunter, rock hound, lapidary, and an amateur birder. He really enjoyed golfing, especially playing cards with his buddies, at the 19th hole, at the Club. He led his family and friends on many trips to dig in the dirt to find fossils, gems, and shark teeth. One of his favorite places to dig for fossils was the phosphate pits in Bartow. It was hot and dirty and so much fun. He would lead people to remote gem mines or would just pull over on the side of a mountain road and tell us to dig! He took his family camping every summer, sometimes for several weeks at a time, and was often joined by friends on those trips. He would take us trout fishing, swimming in freezing rivers, birding, hiking, and taught us to love the outdoors and all it has to offer. He and the family also took many trips to Key West, where we enjoyed swimming, house boat trips, eating conch fritters and bollos, deep sea fishing, and just being together as a family. The family also took yearly trips to the Unitarian Universalist family camps, SUUSI, SWIM, and The Mountain, and to multiple meetings throughout the Southeast regarding these camps and other denominational business. It was at these camps and meetings where we developed our sense of belonging, togetherness, morality, and ability to appreciate and respect the interdependent web in which we live. These adventures and the stories that go with them are held close in our hearts and have given us all a great sense of adventure and humor.
As a Unitarian Universalist, Ted walked his faith. He served on the National Board of Trustees, served in leadership positions at the local, state, and regional level as well as within his own congregation. He was a firm believer in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, He fought injustices, worked to right wrongs, and championed the under served and disrespected.
To us, he was just Dad and Grandpa. He was witty. He was honest, even when we didn't want to hear it. He was kind. He was firm. He was nurturing and generous. He was stubborn. He was brilliant. And, he was so wise.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to NAMI or Suncoast Hospice of Pinellas.