Ernest M.D.

Sowada, Dr. Ernest Joseph


Age 97, of St. Paul


Died Friday April 29, 2011


He was preceded in death by his parents, Valentine and Rose Sowada, 11 siblings, and son, Mark. He is survived by former spouse, Dr. Dorothea P. Sowada, sons, Ernie (Judy), Jeff (Ronda), John (Diana); daughters, Elizabeth Linner (Robert) and Mary Lapham (Scott); 9 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren and sister, Lorraine Peterson. Born in Holdingford, MN, he attended St. John's University and distinguished himself as a pitching great, capping his Johnny career when he defeated the U of M Gophers 5 -3 in the 1937 season. He went on to graduate from St. John's in 1939, and then graduated from the University of MN with a Masters Degree in Chemistry in 1941. During this time he pitched for the Minneapolis Millers until the outbreak of World War II. He attended Naval Officer's Candidate School and served in the US Navy from January 1942 as Chief Engineering Officer aboard the destroyer USS Jouett and then as Chief Engineering Officer, Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet until his discharge in 1946. "Lefty Sowada" pitched Minor League baseball in Lake City and Willmar before and while he attended the University of Minnesota Medical School from 1946 until his graduation in 1950. Dr. Sowada delivered over 3,000 babies as a Physician and Surgeon during his 35 years in Family Practice on the east side of St. Paul. He was certified in 1979 as a Diplomate by the American Board of Family Practice. He loved the family cabin on Upper Red Lake, MN, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. In his retirement he wrote and published a memoir, Freedom Through Faith. Funeral service 7 PM Monday, May 2 at BRADSHAW, 4600 Greenhaven Drive at Highway 96 (one mile west of 35E), White Bear with visitation two hours prior to the service. Private Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Dorothy Day Center, St. Paul, MN and the National Alliance For Mentally Ill.