Peter Volpe

1936 - 2021

Peter Volpe
December 17, 1936 - May 14, 2021
Peter Anthony Volpe was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 17, 1936, to Peter and Jeanette Volpe. During his childhood, his father went off to service in World War II, serving as a General Medical Officer in Patton's Third Army. Peter was an enterprising boy who would make money mowing lawns, then travel by streetcar from his hometown of Worthington to downtown Columbus, where he would spend his earnings on toy trains at the popular Lazarus department store.
He followed his father into a medical career, completing his pre-med studies and medical school at Ohio State University. After an internship in Milwaukee, Peter was drafted into the Navy. He was a General Medical Officer, serving aboard the Admiral's flagship during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Peter did his residency in general surgery at UCSF, under Dr. Dunphy, and also spent one year of the residency in London. Dr. Blaisdell, a mentor and lifelong friend, recognized Peter's admirable judgment, calling him "one of the best men we have trained."
He served an apprenticeship in colorectal surgery with the founders of a practice he later joined and managed for many years. A partner described him as having "built the practice on the basic principles of always putting the patients' well-being first, being inclusive, being a good listener, and with compassion and humility."
Patient care was Peter's top concern, but he also offered his keen judgment and administrative skills to running the surgical partnership. He served on the board of governors of the American College of Surgeons, and as president of both the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
Peter was treasured by his patients, who continued to correspond with him long into his retirement. One patient wrote him in gratitude for "the good care you provided when I needed it and, in a far broader and more important sense, for having mastered your profession so splendidly and for having brought your highly developed skills to bear on behalf of so many for so long."
He was the proud father of three sons: John (Pam), Mike (Kerry), and Mark (Carolyn). Peter was dedicated to them and their education. To that end, when he drove his sons to school, Peter would quiz them on spelling. An incorrect answer could lead to the humorous consequence of walking the final few blocks. Peter was a devoted fan of his sons' sporting activities, rarely missing a game of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, or lacrosse. This enthusiasm extended to the next generation, his two grandchildren: Julianne (she of grace and compassion) and Joseph (always full of curiosity and energy). He was in regular attendance when Julianne played soccer and basketball, from elementary through high school. Even in the final weeks of Peter's life, he found joy in watching Joseph play basketball.
Peter enjoyed a happy retirement playing golf, playing poker, tending his spectacular garden, and developing his incredible model railroad layout, a lifelong pursuit. His passion for THE Ohio State University and their athletic teams was ferocious. During the magical 2002 football season, Peter attended four Buckeye home games, as well as travelling to Arizona to attend their national championship victory at the Fiesta Bowl.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister Sue. The world will be a poorer place without Peter's humor, his calm presence, and his good judgment. He will be missed by all of his professional colleagues, his buddies, his extended family, and especially his sons, his grandchildren, and his wife Theresa. Peter was a gracious spouse, an enthusiastic travel companion, and a devoted husband to Theresa. She would like to extend her deepest gratitude to all the people in Peter's life who contributed to making him the best life partner she could have wished for.