David Adolph Berchelmann, Sr.

Dr. David Adolph Berchelmann, a life-long resident of San Antonio, was born on September 1, 1919 and died peacefully on January 17, 2007.

He was preceded in death by parents Dr. Adolph and Anne Glumaz Berchelmann; brothers, Dr. August Berchelmann and Stephen Berchelmann; sister, Winifred Fraser; and son, George Michael Berchelmann.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie and children, Constance Joy and husband, John Allovio of Hewitt, Texas; Adolph George Berchelmann , III of San Antonio; Judge David A. Berchelmann, Jr. and wife, Dona, of San Antonio; Nancye and Jerald Flasch of San Antonio; Mary Ellen and Dr. Daniel Tallerico of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Penny and Mick Muller of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Charles and Christopher Allovio; Ashley, Shelby and David A. Berchelmann III; Nancye-Doles Flasch; Sgt. Otto Tallerico USMC and James Tallerico; and Catherine and Marcus Coston; brother, Dr. John Berchelmann, Sr. and wife, Betty and brother-in-law, John Fraser; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Jefferson High School, University of Texas, Austin; St. Mary's University and St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He interned at Santa Rosa Hospital and pursued postgraduate education in obstetrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas and Robert B. Green Hospital, Surgery of Trauma, San Antonio, Texas.

As a veteran of World War II, he served as a naval physician. He joined his father, Dr. Adolph Berchelmann, at the Berchelmann Clinic, one of the few bilingual general practices in San Antonio. He joined the staff at Santa Rosa Hospital, teaching OBGYN to interns and residents. He also joined the staff of Grace Lutheran General Hospital on the Westside of San Antonio where he organized the OBGYN department, was appointed director of Medical Education and organized a family practice residency training program.

He was appointed physician for Buckner Baptist Benevolence-Baptist Maternity Home, as well as the Texas Cradle Society. He was the appointed physician for the professional football team the Toros and the baseball team the San Antonio Missions. He was appointed the school physician for the Edgewood Independent School District and practiced at the Obstetrical Clinic at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District from 1984-1998. He was a member of the following organizations: Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, Southern Medical Association, Bexar County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Because of his love of flying, he was recruited for the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Air Force, reached the rank of Lt. Col. and became the flight surgeon for Group 19.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Regent Care Center as well as Dr. Carry and Pastor Ebs.