ROBERT L. PACE
1933-2019
Dr. Robert Loyal Pace (“Bob”) of Westfield, Indiana, passed away at the age of 86 on April 25, 2019 at St Vincent Heart Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on January 18, 1933 along with his twin brother Richard D. Pace, in Northville, MI. He was the son of the late Byron and Edna Pace.
After attending public high school in Detroit, Dr. Pace went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in 1956, and then an M.D. from Wayne State Medical School in 1960. He was an internal medicine specialist with a subspecialty in nephrology. He was honored to be trained by Dr. Dale Lindholm, a pioneer in dialysis. Dr. Pace was called a “wizard in diagnosis” by his colleagues. Much of his career was spent working for the University of Illinois in the student health center. He also taught at the University of Illinois Medical School. Dr. Pace received two national honors including a medal of commendation from the USPHS for working in the aftermath of Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and an award from the National Association of Medical Educators for innovative medical school curriculum.
Dr. Pace received Christ on July 2, 1949 through the testimony of a high school classmate. He married Pauline Gammichia on September 5, 1959, and the couple had four children and ten grandchildren. He was active in church throughout his life. Most recently, he was involved in Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana where he served with the drama team.
He leaves behind his wife, Pauline; his children: Linda Hinkle and husband Tony of Lebanon, Richard Pace and wife Beth of Leavenworth, KS,Lori Lavalle of Westfield, and Robert Pace and wife Svetlana of Indianapolis; his grandchildren: Clark Hinkle, Adam Hinkle, William “Bill” Pace, Lydia Pace, Joseph “Joe” Lavalle, Jonathan Pace, Jessica Pace, Daniel Pace, David Pace, and Samuel Pace; and his twin brother Richard “Dick” Pace.
His life verse was Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (ESV).