Dr.
John Peter Tampas of Colchester, Vt., died peacefully while
surrounded by family on Friday, December 6, 2024. He was born on
Saturday, May 18, 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’ medical career was marked by continuous service to his
profession. From 1956 to 1957, he volunteered to serve as a U.S. 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
Tampases 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’ 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 Theatre, 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.
αἰωνία
αὐτοῦ
ἡ μνήμη.
Heartfelt
thanks to Silver Leaf In-Home Care for the kind support you provided
over the last four years, and, later, UVM Home Health & Hospice
for the wonderful care you brought to John, making his last months
comfortable.
A
funeral service will take place on Thursday, December 12, 11 a.m., at
the Dormition of the Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 600 South
Willard St., Burlington, VT 05401. A luncheon will follow at the
DoubleTree by Hilton, 870 Williston Rd., 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.
This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2024.