Dr. Alva Trueblood Jr.

Dr. Alva Cooper "Ace," "Bud" Trueblood Jr., 92, of Kirkwood, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, at St. John's Hospital.

He was born March 15, 1918, in St. Louis, to Alva Cooper and Leona Wahlert Trueblood.

Trueblood graduated from Washington University (B.A. 1940) and Washington University School of Medicine (M.D. 1943).

He married Jean McLeod on Sept. 1, 1942.

Trueblood served with the U.S. Navy from November 1944 to November 1945, earning a Bronze Star for meritorious service as a medical officer in the Philippine Islands.

Upon returning from World War II, he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University and practiced obstetrics and gynecology in St. Louis County from 1949 until his retirement in 1983. He provided free care at Grace Hill Settlement House and served on Missouri State Maternal Mortality Review Committee.

Outside his professional life he enjoyed gardening, woodworking, canoeing, traveling and spending time with family and friends, including his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers.

Trueblood was preceded by his parents; a sister, Mary Catherine Evans (David); and a nephew, David Evans.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Patricia Post (John) of Nashville, Tenn.; a son, Dr. Michael Trueblood (Mary) of Cape Girardeau; nieces Suzanne Evans Morris of Faber, Va., and Catherine Evans Geiger of Reno, Nev.; and grandchildren Gavin Post of Asheville, N.C., Gaines Post (Fiona) of New South Wales, Australia, Dr. Andrew Trueblood (Amy) of Cape Girardeau, Emily Gardner (Erin) of Kirkwood; and great-grandchildren Abigail, Catherine and Margaret Gardner and John Trueblood.

The family is grateful to the staff at McKnight Place, where Trueblood spent the last year of his life, and to the Visiting Angels of Webster Groves, Mo., who provided in-home services before Dr. and Mrs. Trueblood moved to McKnight Place.

Memorial service and interment were Feb. 19 at Valhalla Cemetery in St. Louis.

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. A.C. Trueblood Jr. at McKnight Place Extended Care, Two McKnight Place, St. Louis, MO 63124.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers Inc., 2524 Hadley, St. Louis, MO 63106, 314-898-1700 (www.gracehill.org/donate/ ), or to the charity of your choice.