Author: descott

Lawrence Ross Muroff, MD, FACR, 82, of Tampa, Florida, passed away on March 27, 2025, after living and sharing a life full of extraordinary meaning and impact.

Dr. Muroff leveraged a unique combination of entrepreneurial, academic/technical, and interpersonal skills to inspire others and make a difference in their lives. That pattern began at age 12, when he created his first business cards to market his services in babysitting and mowing grass. Meanwhile, he was a standout in the classroom, on the basketball court, and on the baseball field. His thoughtful, caring, and charming personality- and his sense of humor and comedic timing- easily attracted friendships, many of which proved to be lifelong, especially those from his beloved Marple Newtown High School. After graduating there, he earned a sociology degree with honors, and membership in Phi Beta Kappa, at Dartmouth College (’64), followed immediately by a medical degree with honors, and membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, at Harvard Medical School (’67).

 In 1968, he started his two-year service to his country at the Bureau of Radiological Health (Public Health Service) in Rockville, MD. In 1969, he achieved his greatest accomplishment: meeting and marrying his beloved wife of 55+ years, Carol Savoy Muroff. He later was selected to be a resident in radiology, and ultimately the chief resident, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York.

 Dr. Muroff’s personal and professional life continued to flourish, as he consistently earned and demonstrated the respect that became the hallmark of his reputation, in both facets of his life. In 1973, he achieved the status of Diplomate from both the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, later serving for 23 years as a guest examiner for the former. From 1974 to 1994, he was the Director of MR, CT and Nuclear Medicine at University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He held additional leadership positions there, including his role as president of the 45-member radiology practice, Drs. Sheer, Ahearn, & Associates, P.A. During that time, he also fathered his two children, Michael and Julie Muroff.

 One of Dr. Muroff’s greatest gifts was his commitment to sharing his expertise with others, to facilitate their professional development and to advance the field of radiology through continuing medical education. To that end, he founded and led several independent business initiatives. Those entrepreneurial feats included Educational Symposia, Inc., which became one of the largest educators of diagnostic imaging in the country, and Imaging Consultants, Inc., which provided consulting services to radiologists, hospitals, and corporations. He also proudly served as a Clinical Professor of Radiology at both the University of Florida and the University of South Florida Colleges of Medicine, and he was designated by Aunt Minnie as Radiology’s Most Effective Educator: 2010. Additionally, he authored more than 80 articles and presented over 1150 invited lectures throughout the United States and Europe. He especially enjoyed leading sessions with residents and other early-career radiologists; many of those sessions sparked long-lasting mentorships and friendships.

Throughout Dr. Muroff’s career, he was an active member, and ultimately an influential leader and mentor, in numerous professional associations. Among other examples, he served as president of national and regional imaging organizations, including the Clinical Magnetic Resonance Society, the American College of Nuclear Physicians, the Florida Radiological Society, the Florida Association of Nuclear Physicians, and the Southeastern Chapter of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. Additionally, he was a past member of the Board of Chancellors, a Councilor, and a member of the Council Steering Committee of the American College of Radiology, and he served on the Board of Trustees of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He also was an inaugural member of the Board of the American College of Radiology’s Radiology Leadership Institute and the Neiman Health Policy Institute. 

Dr. Muroff’s dedication, experience, and expertise garnered countless honors and accolades, including the highest recognition of Gold Medal from both the American College of Radiology and the Florida Radiological Society. He also received the 2016-2017 Distinguished Career Achievement Award from Dartmouth Medical School, and the Radiology Leadership Institute honored him with the Leadership Luminary Award in 2023 for “exceptional lifetime achievements, innovation, leadership and service to the medical specialties of radiology.” He was featured in numerous interviews and cover stories, including in Diagnostic Imaging and Imaging Economics, and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and The Best Doctors in America 2000. He tremendously valued and appreciated that recognition and the support from, and camaraderie with, his colleagues, so many of whom became cherished friends. 

While all that Dr. Muroff did as a professional was a testament to his tireless pursuit of excellence, he demonstrated that standard best in who he was as a person: a role model and a gentleman with true integrity who magically balanced gravitas with magnetism, projecting the thoughtfulness, care, and charm of his childhood, including the same sense of humor and comedic timing. Beyond his enduring impact as a leader, advocate, colleague, moderator, educator, and mentor in the radiology community and field, he made innumerable and indelible contributions- and left his legacy- as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and son. Those who knew him best will always remember that his sincere, spontaneous smile and genuinely warm greeting were as inspiring as his prepared remarks on stage. They will remember the pride and joy that he took and shared not only in having served his country as a veteran but also in the mundane elements of his favorite sports teams, newspaper games, restaurants, and TV shows. They will remember that he was as smooth on the dancefloor as he was at navigating highly-charged interactions with patients and politics. They will remember that he lit up his four granddaughters’ faces with silly stories and whistles just as he ignited the minds and careers of top professionals around the country. Overall, even by the very highest A+ standards that Dr. Muroff held himself to, his life was remarkably and beautifully well-lived. He used every moment of his 82 years to make his field, his patients, his community, and his colleagues, friends, and family better in endless ways that will never be forgotten. 

Dr. Muroff’s family will host a Memorial/Celebration of Life in his honor on June 1, 2025 at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club (5320 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, FL). We welcome guests to stop by any time from 11:00AM until 1:00PM. While offers of gifts and donations have been very much appreciated, his family asks instead that you please continue to think and talk about him, and that you keep his legacy alive through your memories and your support of the causes and the people he cared about most.

https://www.segalfuneralhome.com/obituaries/lawrence-muroff

JEAN M. YADLEY, 101, of Tampa, passed away peacefully at home on February 21, 2022. Born July 1, 1920, in Washington, D.C., where he grew up and attended George Washington University prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force. Jean was stationed at Drew Field in Tampa as a sergeant in the Signal Corps. It was here that he met Ruth Smith, the high school daughter of family friends from Washington. When Ruth graduated from Rollins College, Jean and Ruth married. Their wedding was one of the first grand events in the ballroom of the old Tampa Terrace Hotel in downtown Tampa following its re­opening after the end of World War II. Jean joined his father-in-law Harry K. Smith and his new uncle Harry Porton in their wholesale tire, parking and automobile service business across the street from the Tampa Terrace at the corner of Florida Avenue and Lafayette (now Kennedy) Boulevard. The motto of Smith & Porton, Inc. was The City Hall is opposite us. So was Tampa’s central police station, and a block down on Franklin Street was the old Hillsborough County Courthouse. When the family sold Smith & Porton in 1966, Jean took Ruth on a three months around-the-world trip. On his return, he was invited to join the Marine Bank Travel Department, beginning a 55 year career as a leisure travel specialist. Jean drove to work until the Covid-19 pandemic, after which he continued to participate by computer. By this time, Jean & Ruth had traveled to virtually every corner of the world.

Jean was a tireless Tampa booster. His more than 75 years of service to Tampa causes grew naturally from his affection for his adopted city and his belief that all people are important. He was uniformly respectful to everyone and genuinely interested in what people had to say. He was a non-denominational, non-sectarian, colorblind Good Samaritan. As a quick point of reference, Jean both served his synagogue as President and as the longest-tenured Board member of St. Joseph’s Hospital alongside Sister Marie Celeste. Jean was a global traveler who enjoyed meals at the finest restaurants in the world and yet made local cooks feel as if they were Three Star chefs. Jean never learned how to say No. His motto was, Just say Yes.

In addition to Jean’s more than 30 years on St. Joseph’s Hospital Development Board, including as its Chairman, and his Presidency and Board service at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, Tampa’s oldest Jewish congregation, Jean for more than 20 years was a mainstay at the American Cancer Society, including as Chairman of the Annual Campaign. Jean served Tampa’s oldest Rotary Club in practically every volunteer capacity possible, as a committee chairman, board member and as President. Recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, Jean had 64 years of perfect attendance at Rotary, more than half the Club’s 125 year lifetime! Jean founded the Florida west coast chapter of the international Burgundy wine society, the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, organized in France in 1934 to celebrate the culture of Burgundy, whose vineyards have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jean was a Commandeur in the New York chapter before serving as head of the Florida group for a dozen years. Jean was recognized in December 2021 by the Tastevin for his knowledge of wine and active leadership in the group for more than 60 years. Having enjoyed membership in the Miami chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the international food society founded in 1245 and reorganized in 1945, Jean was asked to establish a second Florida chapter in 1972. He did so, and served as its head for more than 20 years. He supported and encouraged local restaurants and hotels to strive to be innovative and better. Jean helped organize new Chaine chapters in St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Naples, Orlando and Tallahassee and served as head of the Chaine’s Southeast United States and Puerto Rico region. Jean also served as a member of the board of directors of the H. B. Plant Museum Society; as a founding member of The Tampa Club; a 32d degree Mason; and a leader of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Committee of 100. Jean received the Model in Aging Lifetime Achievement Award from Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. in 2005.

Jean is survived by Ruth, his wife of 75 years; his children, Greg (Anne), Janet Yadley Mendez (Larry); four grandchildren, Lauren Yadley Penley (Adam), Sloan (Ashley Davis-Yadley), Margo Mendez Ambler (Jason) and L.D. Mendez (Emily); and nine great-grandchildren, Ryder Penley, Skyler Penley, Roman Yadley, Vincent Yadley, William Yadley, Porter Ambler, Sophie Ambler, Dane Mendez and Cameron Mendez.

Chris James Hoch, 59, of Tampa passed on March 14, 2021. Chris was born in Binghamton, New York on December 31, 1961 to parent’s John and Mary Hoch. Chris graduated high school and then attended school for hairdressing. Hoch – as he was then to his friends  opened his first hair salon at age 19 in Endicott, NY with the  financial help from Aunt Anna Mae. He then traveled to Camden, Maine, to open his next salon. In 1981, Chris moved to Sarasota, Florida where he and a business partner, Al Ferrigno, started “New York Hair” which included eight salons! The business was eventually sold in 2010 and Hoch retired. For approximately ten years starting in the early 1980’s, he was the third key executive of Paul Mitchell Products. Hoch’s responsibilities included touring the US and getting on stage randomly to call hairdressers from the audience to teach the new styles and techniques in the industry. His largest audience was around 25,000 hairdressers in the Jacob Javits Convention center in New York City. Hoch had a larger-than-life presence with his warm open-mouth smile, long arms and legs towering over many with his 6’4” frame.  Hoch is predeceased by his parents John and Mary Hoch. He is survived by his life partner William Kalish of Tampa, brother John Hoch of Goose Creek, South Carolina, cousin George Hoch (Beverly) of Hillcrest, New York, Tom (Vana) Tzivanis of Syracuse, New York, relatives including the Tzivanis Cousin’s Club, many other friends and his beloved Lord Sir Bentley of Bayshore, the cutest teacup Yorkie. Services will be taking place at Segal Funeral Home.

https://www.segalfuneralhome.com/obituary/Chris-Hoch

Alejandro Marcelo de Quesada, MD died unexpectedly on 17 December 2020 in Tampa, Florida at the age of 88. Dr. de Quesada is survived by his wife, Graciela, his sister, Hortensia, his two sons, Alejandro and Carlos, and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alejandro and Hortensia Margarita, his sisters, Isa and Isabel.

He was born on 4 September 1932 in Camaguey, Cuba and is a medical school graduate of the University of Havana. He married Graciela Margarita Ubieta on 19 December 1964. After moving to Gainesville, he began working with a team that would develop Gatorade while at the University of Florida. He continued on his medical career as a nephrologist and taught as a charter faculty member at the medical school of University of South Florida. It was during this time he helped found Kidney Care of Florida and Life Link Foundation. The couple welcomed 2 children into their home and Alejandro set about teaching them about the importance of education and his view on life. His children remember him as a kind, gentle, patient father who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

Dr. De Quesada was an accomplished physician and was a generous individual toward family, friends, and charitable organizations. Ever the consummate scholar he loved books, history, gastronomy, wine, sportscars, and travel. He was active with Alegra Motorsports, Le Chaine des Rotisseurs, and The Company of Military Historians.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tampa-fl/alejandro-de-quesada-9951626

Frank Morris Love, 91, passed peacefully, Feb. 7, 2019. He was a lifelong resident of Tampa, FL. He leaves behind two sons, Alex (Michele) and Evan (Elaine); four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his dear and loyal friend of many years, Louise Wilborn. Morris attended Hillsborough High School, was a 3rd class petty officer on the USS Wyoming and graduated Cum Laude from Florida Southern College. He established Love & Associates, Inc., a manufacturer’s representative firm and was a past president of the National Marine Representatives Association. Morris served as a delegate to the Florida Methodist Annual Conference for many years and served as a director of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. He was a charter member of Forest Hills UMC and charter member of Van Dyke USM. He was a 32nd Mason and member of Hillsborough Lodge #25 F&AM. Morris was a lover of good food and fine wine. He was a Bailli of Chaine Des Rotisseurs as well as a member of the Tampa Culinary Society. His love of travel took him to all 50 states and to all seven continents. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Dr. George J. Pastor passed away under care of Hospice on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. He was a true Renaissance man with professional and personal achievements that were varied and colorful. His professional life included restaurateur, executive chef, teacher, culinary competition judge, epicurean, farmer, and mentor. The Pamplemousse Restaurant was a South Tampa landmark and his peanut butter pie was without compare. Dr. Pastor was a founder of the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). He served as National Treasurer/Secretary for two terms of office. His passionate love of the culinary arts and education stayed with him throughout his life. He taught many hundreds of aspiring culinarians at Hillsborough Community College and the Art Institute of Tampa sharing his vast knowledge of culinary techniques and cuisines. He earned many professional culinary awards and coached his student teams to many of their own. He was an ACF Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator. He was also an Approved Certification Evaluator and Culinary Competition Judge. He was a proud member of the honor society of the ACF, the American Academy of Chefs. He was also a member of the Tampa chapter of Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed by his extended family and large network of professional associates and personal friends. Survivors include: beloved wife, Connie; brother David Pastor (Marianne); sister Yvonne Weniger; stepdaughter, Kim Larkin and son Tyler; stepson, Keith Larkin (Jessica); and children, Ian, Gavin, and Eli; stepson, Louis Wysocki (Cindy); stepdaughter, Pam Wysocki; nephew, Dr. Fred Weniger (Jennifer) and children Freddie, Paige, and Lauren. Also left to cherish his memory are Fred and Pat Lucardie, Vince and Carol Blancato, and Bella DeLuna.

James Swann Judy Sr. passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, in Tampa. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children James S. Judy Jr., Britton Judy Cisneros (Frank), Mary Reeves Judy; and grandson, Frankie Cisneros; Jim’s sister, Mary Judy Brown (Henry), Kimberly Brown Maynell (Carey), Hank Brown (Julie), and Emerson and Tripp Brown. Jim is also survived by his mother-in-law, Jane Hall-Witt; and brothers-in-law, David R. Hall and Cralle H. Hall; and many devoted cousins.