Horacio passed away on January 23, 2021 at AdventHealth Carrollwood Hospital after a short illness with his loving family at his side.
Horacio was born on May 1, 1924 in Medellin, Colombia to Sergio and Lucilla (Duque) Arias. He did his undergraduate and medical training in Colombia, having attained the degree of MD in 1954. He did additional training in Psychoanalysis in Colombia, and he practiced Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis for a remarkable 67 years (in Tampa, FL since 1977). Even in recent years, including up until the time of his short illness, he was seeing patients for ½ day each Monday – Friday at his office.
Horacio was married to the love of his life, Shirley Ruth (Wehrum) Arias on April 4, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a chance meeting on a commercial aircraft that brought Horacio and Shirley together for a wonderful 53 years, very happily married for 51 of those years. Initially, they lived in Horacio’s home country of Colombia, where Shirley worked as an English teacher while Horacio completed his medical training in Psychoanalysis. Subsequently, Horacio and Shirley relocated to the Worcester, Massachusetts area and then Tampa, Florida in 1977.
Horacio served his residency in Psychiatry at the Worcester State Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1971 – 1974. His Psychoanalytic training having previously performed with the Colombian Psychoanalytic Association in Colombia. He enjoyed all aspects of Psychiatry and working with patients to improve their mental health. He was an active member of a number of professional associations, including: the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the American Medical Association, the International Psychoanalytic Association, the American Academy of Psychoanalysis (Fellow), the International Psychoanalytic Association and the Tampa Bay Psychoanalytic Society, of which he is a former President.
Horacio was a voracious reader and had an extensive library. He was always available to talk, with family members, friends and patients. He would happily share his knowledge and insight into the topic or difficulty at hand. He enjoyed trying new things, among them travel to distant parts of the world, with Shirley, and fly-in fishing in the remote lakes of Quebec, Canada with his nephews. Some of their favorite international destinations were: Barcelona, Spain and Greece and their cruise to Alaska.
Horacio, along with Shirley, played a very active role in the lives of their nieces and nephews. Together they attended all of their important milestone events and taught them many things about life and how to maximize one’s potential. This tradition continued, as their nieces and nephews had children of their own, who were likewise blessed to have the opportunity to interact with Horacio and Shirley.
Horacio is survived by nephews Paul A. Wehrum, Jr., DO (Mysti) of Zanesville, OH, Henry L Wehrum, DO (Anne Marie) of Columbus, OH, Mark J. Wehrum, DO (Dawn) of Lake Baldwin, FL, niece Jessica R. (Richard) Kerger, of Toledo, Ohio as well as his great-nephews and nieces: Amanda, Angela, Ben, Brent, Cade, Carleigh, Caroline, Carter Arias, Christopher, Connor, Eric, Jack, Nickolas, Samantha, Shawn, Thomas and Tyler.
The family is very grateful for the wonderful care provided to Horacio by the ICU team of physicians and nurses at AdventHealth Carrollwood Hospital in Tampa.
Arrangements are being handled by Blount-Curry Carrollwood Chapel at 3207 W. Bearrs Avenue in Tampa (813) 968-2303. The Memorial Service for Dr. Horacio Arias will be held at Blount-Curry Funeral Home, Carrollwood on Saturday March 27, 2021 at 11AM. Visitation will be from 10-11AM.
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