With a smile and a kind word, Andrew A. Pandazi peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by his family at home on October 6th, 2014, days before his 92nd birthday.
Born and raised in Chicago, the son of the late Aristothemos and Anna (nee Cech) Pandazi; loving and respectful husband of Magdalen (nee Kopanitsi); kind and devoted father of Andrea and Maria; dear brother of Peristera (the late George) Georgiou, George (Helen) Pandazi; brother-in-law of the late Chris (late Alice) Kope, the late Georgia (late Steve) Gineris, the late Celia Seraphim, and the late William Kopanitsi. Dear uncle to Catherine (the late Dean) Spyres, Sophia (Vincent) Partipilo, Theodore Seraphim, Honorable Judge Stephanie (Greg) Rothstein, Aris (Katherine) Pandazi, Diane (Steve) Hardy, Andrew Georgiou, Angela Georgiou, Thomas (Christina) Georgiou. Loving great uncle to Jacqueline (Max), Grace, Leah, Ted, Angelica (Jesse), Vincent Charles, Tessa, Helenna, Olivia, Jason, Anna, Patricia, Peter, and Stephanie.
A humble man, Andrew wanted his obituary to simply say "He did the best he could." However, we would like to share more of his life.
He lived by the Golden Rule and lead by example. Honest, kind, generous, witty, humble, loving and respectful are only a few of the adjectives that describe his life of giving to others. Always pleasant and positive, even when he was worn and weary from the effects of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, he continued to espouse sweet thoughts and kind words.
A WWII combat veteran of the European Theater, his 103rd infantry division fought in Germany, Italy and France. Among their many operations, the division liberated Kaufering concentration camp, a sub-camp of Dachau. Wounded twice, Andy refused the Purple Heart because he felt so many other soldiers were not as fortunate.
Upon returning from the service, Andrew earned his PhD in Physiology from the University of Illinois. After graduation, he became an Assistant Professor of Physiology at Marquette University School of Medicine. After several years of teaching, Andrew entered medical school himself. Upon graduation, he specialized in urology and particularly enjoyed surgery. Andy had the gift of compassion with patients and their families, treating them as if they were his own family. As Chief of Staff at St. Michael's Hospital and Chief of Surgery at St. Mary's Hospital, always a progressive thinker, Andy was a pioneer in his efforts to initiate No Smoking campaigns in hospitals well before such a concept became widely accepted. He worked on the team to perform the first kidney transplant in Wisconsin and pioneered kidney dialysis throughout the region. Board certified in surgery, urology and family practice. A member of the American Medical Association, Wisconsin Medical Association, American Urological Association and Wisconsin Urological Association, Wisconsin State Medical Society, National Kidney Foundation, Wisconsin Kidney Foundation, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Andy served on several committees and boards, frequently speaking to groups on the various topics related to kidney disease. Andy had the pleasure of loving his chosen profession and truly enjoyed helping others.
After retiring from 26 years in private practice, Andy spent time on the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona working to improve the health care system as the Clinical Director for the Indian Health Service. He cherished his time on the reservation and truly loved the Native American culture and wanted to give back to those less fortunate. Upon returning to Milwaukee, he worked with Anthem Blue Cross as a surgical consultant for nearly 20 years until age 89.
Through 57 years of marriage, Andrew and Magdalen shared a special and loving bond based upon mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
A lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church, Andy started his involvement as a young boy at St. Andrew's in Chicago, serving in the altar, choir, and helping to organize the first youth programs. As an adult, he served on the Parish Council of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa. A man of deep faith and accepting of everyone Andrew gave his time, talent and treasure to many organizations throughout his life. One of his cherished experiences was accompanying the Jesuits to British Honduras and Belize on various medical missionary trips.
Like his father, Andy was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a member of the Henry L. Palmer Lodge and the Scottish Valley Rite Temple of Milwaukee.
Truly a student of the world, there was not much that did not interest him. He loved to learn, teach and share the bounty and wonders of the world around us with his children, his nieces, nephews as well as his great nieces and nephews. While too many to list, some of his greatest interests included exploring the outdoors, sailing, photography, the arts, and most recently beekeeping. Whether growing giant pumpkins or sailing across Lake Michigan, Andrew always included his family in his hobbies and interests.
Andy's absence will leave a void in so many lives, but those who knew him were given such a beautiful gift that by knowing him, their hearts will be touched by his grace and kindness forever. While he set the bar higher than most, his twinkling smiling eyes and kind words were infectious and will be cherished by all who knew him.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Froedtert Cancer Center Day Hospital, and Grace Clinic, most specifically, Dr. Ehab Altallah for his kind respectful care of our precious husband and father. We would also like to thank the countless and anonymous blood donors, whose life-giving gift extended our time with Andrew. Finally, a special thank you also to Aristaeus, who put an extra sparkle in Andy's eye the last few months.
Please donate blood to your local blood bank. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to MDS and Leukemia research at Medical College of Wisconsin – Division of Hematology and Oncology, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, St. Peter the Apostle Antiochian Orthodox Church (Ft. Myers, Florida), or Wisconsin Public Radio.
St. Peter Orthodox Mission
P.O. Box 110844
Naples, FL 34108
Wisconsin Public Radio
821 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53706
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
9400 W Congress St
Wauwatosa, WI 53227
Medical College of Wisconsin – Division of MDS Leukemia research – hemotology oncology
9200 West Wisconsin Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Visitation at ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 9400 West Congress Street, Monday, October 13, at 10:00 AM until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
