Deceased July 16, 2013
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25th Reunion Book Entry
In Memory
Joseph W. Eades II, M.D., died of Alzheimer’s disease at his home in St. Louis, Mo., on July 16.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Joe was pre-med at Amherst, where, under the tutelage of the late George Kidder, he did research in biochemistry, for which he received honors. He played freshman and varsity soccer, competed as a high-jumper for the track team and, undertaking competitive diving for the first time in his life, excelled as a member of the varsity swim team. He is remembered by his Chi Phi brothers for his light-hearted nature and fun-loving antics.
He attended Washington University School of Medicine and did residency training in general and then plastic and reconstructive surgery. After a tour of duty as a captain with the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he returned to St. Louis, where he was an adjunct professor of surgery at Washington University, chief of plastic surgery at Jewish Hospital, founder of the Cleft Palate Clinic at that institution and on staff of several other St. Louis-area hospitals. Joe was actively involved with numerous professional organizations, authored important articles in his field and still found time to regularly volunteer his skills in overseas mission work.
In his later years he took up wood carving. His passion was for carving bird species rendered in exquisite, lifelike detail. For the last 13 years of his life he was engaged in a heroic struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Joe faced his disease with grace and courage, finding the positive in the midst of great personal loss. Joe was sustained by his religious faith and by the support of his family, most particularly his wife, Ginny. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, as he was one of those rare individuals you encounter in life who makes you realize you are a better person yourself for having known him.
> Clifford A. Birge ’56