The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) sadly announces that OAFP Past President Thomas U. Todd MD, passed away peacefully at his Glendale, OH, home on January 29 surrounded by family. He was 87 years old. Dr. Todd served as past chair of the OAFP Foundation (Foundation) and was an emeritus member of the Foundation Board of Trustees at the time of his death.
Dr. Todd was a much loved family physician and former Glendale mayor who grew up in College Hill, OH, graduating from Walnut Hills High School, Duke University, and the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.
He met his beloved wife of 63 years, Diane Drohan, at UC where she attended the College of Nursing. After his internships in Richmond, VA, and Cincinnati, OH, they spent two years in Coronado, CA, where Dr. Todd proudly served as a Lieutenant in the Navy. Once his military service was complete, they returned to live amongst their extended family in Cincinnati, settling in the Village of Glendale.
Dr. Todd served the residents of Glendale and surrounding communities for over 56 years, starting at a time when family physicians still made house calls and handled emergencies. His patients were his friends and neighbors, and that’s exactly how he treated them. He was always available even after office hours to set their broken limbs, stitch up their wounds, or visit them in the hospital or nursing home. He saw patients of all ages and then he treated their children and grandchildren. For four decades he served as team physician for the Princeton High School Vikings football team and in 1983 he was named Ohio’s Outstanding Team Physician. He maintained privileges at many local hospitals and was elected Chief of Staff at Mercy.
Dr. Todd loved his profession and devoted much of his time and energy to developing the next generation of family physicians. He served the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine and was elected president of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. He was a great mentor, training dozens of UC medical students as well as inspiring his son, Michael, who also became a family physician and eventually joined Dr. Todd’s medical practice. The UC College of Medicine honored Dr. Todd in 2019 by establishing the Thomas U. Todd Alumni Award. His professional life is summed up by his well-known motto “Thank God I’m a Family Physician.”
Dr. Todd’s love for the Village of Glendale extended far beyond his medical practice. After serving on Village Council, he was elected Mayor in 1999. During his eight-year term he presided over the renovation of Glendale’s historic village square and the community’s 150- year anniversary celebration. For this, he added some fun by creating the “Squirrelly Gig,” over two dozen giant squirrel sculptures positioned around the village, each uniquely painted by local artists.
Dr. Todd attended Christ Church and was a member of the Glendale Lyceum. In the final years of his life he often walked through the village patrolling for litter, greeting neighbors along the way.
Above all else, Dr. Todd will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He and Diane shared many interests and were rarely seen apart. Relying on his long reach and her grace and competitive spirit, they collected shelves full of mixed doubles trophies in tennis and paddle tennis. They golfed and traveled the world together. At the age of 72 he rode his bike 112 miles through Death Valley, less than three weeks after breaking his collar bone and ribs and puncturing his lungs on a training ride. Dr. Todd and Diane spent their summers in Neahtawanta, MI, where he seemed to never rest. When he wasn’t biking, golfing, sailing, playing tennis, windsurfing, or motorboating, he was arranging and maintaining his boats, moorings, docks, and beach. Every summer he would assemble his family for several weeks of outdoor fun led by “Tatki.” Although the family continues to expand with spouses, grandchildren, dogs, and assorted boyfriends and girlfriends, they will always return to Todd’s Point to cherish Dr. Todd’s love for nature, health, sports, adventure, laughter, and above all else, family.
Dr. Todd is proceeded in death by his brother, Samuel P. Todd, Jr, MD, and sister, Elizabeth Landen.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; his three children, Susan (Andrew), Andrew (Janet), and Michael (Ashley, deceased 2015); and his grandchildren, Abigail, Chandler, Taylor, Cameron, Walker, Patrick, and Clara.
Memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Neahtawanta Legacy Foundation, (18B Manor Drive, Hookset, NH 03106); Glendale Heritage Preservation (44 Village Square, Glendale, OH 45246); and the Dr. Thomas U. Todd Fund at the UC Foundation (PO Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219).
The OAFP has made a memorial gift in his memory to the OAFP Foundation.
They don’t make ’em like Tom Todd anymore! He was an inspiring leader who seemingly could take on any challenge with an attitude that would not tolerate failure or complacency. You could feel the kindness behind every adventure he led the OAFP and the OAFP Foundation through, and his confidence made you feel anything was possible. We all talk about the importance of considering the patient in the context of the family, and the family in the context of the community in which they live, but how many of us would take on the role of mayor of our community to more directly improve the environment in which our patients live, learn and work? What a role model for all family physicians!
A beautiful sentiment about a beautiful man. He’ll always be remembered as a leader, and epitome of a true family physician.
Thank you
Thank you Ted
Among all the other things he did, Dr. Todd taught us residents from the UC Department of Family Medicine. He graciously took the time and trouble to have me spend a month in his busy practice in Glendale, so I could learn what a real private outpatient family practice was. He was calm, focused, effective, and most of all patient. At the end of the month I was very pleasantly surprised to have him give me an old fashioned doctors black bag, which Has seen much use. I still carry it on trips, stocked with various emergency items, and it has seen much use.
I will always remember him as such a gentleman. Looking back, he indeed helped me learn to Thank God I’m a Family Physician.
Thank you.
This remarkable man had quite an impact on me as I started in the OAFP as a student and resident. I was amazed that this busy man was so organized that he could exercise over his lunch hour! And he always looked so dapper. I imagine his wife was a help in that dept…. But most of all he was so kind and respectful, which are qualities I have tried hard to emulate. I still sign plenty of correspondence with “Thank God I am a Family Physician”!!!
Thank you Dr. Todd
Thank you
I have been married seven years, now. Unfortunately, my wife never had the chance to meet the Todd’s. I often talk about Dr. Todd, even now. When I called Mrs. Todd. shortly after Thanksgiving, I was so sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Todd.
I was his employee from 1985 t0 1993. I was the caretaker of the medical facility in Springdale. My grandmother, who passed on in 2007, was their personal housekeeper, for over 26 years. She was 99, when she passed.
The Todd’s were more than just medical people or employers, they were the most wonderful family that I knew of in Cincinnati. Mr. & Mrs. Todd came to my home many times. The most notably was coming to help celebrate my grandmothers, 98th birthday.
My mother was also Dr. Todd’s , primary health physician for many years. She also thought the world of the Todd family.
At one time Michael Todd was grandma’s physician and also mine.
I will always have fond memories of the Todd’s family and will sincerely miss Dr. Todd.
We hope the Todd’s enjoy a wonderful holiday.
With much admiration and respect to Michael, Andy and Susan. You all have touched my life in a positive way.
Thank you Diane, at a time when your family and yourself was celebrating Thanksgiving, to speak with me on the phone. I really enjoyed hearing your voice and talking of good memories. I am very grateful for having known you all.
Take care,
Dan & Carol Mehlman