DR. JAMES ANDREW SAPALA  M.D. a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon, died of brain cancer on April 12, 2017 at the age of 72.  He is from Class of '62.

Affectionately referred to as “Dr. Jim” by his many patients, he actively practiced and performed surgery up until his illness was diagnosed in April of 2016. He and his twin brother John were born on October 11, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to Juanita and Marion Andrew Sapala, then a flight surgeon in the Army-Air Corps. He and his father, a general surgeon, practiced medicine together for many years, until his father's death in 2003.

He was educated in the Detroit public school system, attending McFarlane Elementary and Mackenzie High School. He and John graduated from Albion College in 1966.

Dr. Jim graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1970. He completed his internship and surgical residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. His surgery practice evolved exclusively to the treatment of the morbidly obese. Indeed, he was a pioneer in the specialty of bariatric surgery. He was truly loved by his thousands of patients whose length and quality of life were enhanced by his commitment and passion. His extraordinary skill resulted in his being awarded a patent for his unique surgical procedure.

He wrote and published scores of articles about his procedure in various medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association. Notwithstanding his heavy schedule, he found the time to consult and serve as an expert witness in medical malpractice cases across the nation. After his father's death, Dr. Jim moved to New York, performing surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan and Brookhaven Hospital on Long Island.

He is survived by his children: Lauren, Julian, Andrew James, Aubrey and Elliot; his grandson Henry James; and his brothers John and Michael; and by many cousins, nephews and nieces. His loving wife, Kathryn, and beautiful son, Charles, who each died of cancer, pre-deceased him. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home at 811 Finley Drive in Albion, Michigan on Monday, April 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

We will share memories at a Celebration of the Life of James Sapala at Weber's Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday, May 28th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan.