In Memory of Dr. Leo

Leonorio “Leo” Bersamin Tuason, MD, April 21, 1929 – October 27, 2017

I have not been able to update our news website for quite a while. I admit, my attention is more on our Facebook page. But promise you one thing, I will write again at least once a week.

My first post after a while is bitter-sweet though. Sweet because I am re-starting the blog, BUT bitter because our long time member and contributor Dr. Leo has passed away.

For those old timers of abrenian.com, everyone remembers Dr. Leo. He was one of our elders who discussed the History of Abra, the rise of the Bersamins and also talked about the Presidential Fish “Ludong”.

Personally, I’ve had a chance to talk to Dr. Leo a couple of times. Sadly, I never met him in person. But I’ve always consider him a mentor.

Below is the excerpt sent to us by his family on our Beloved Dr. Leo.

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For those who followed the comments of “Dr Leo” regarding the History of Abra, it is with sad heart to announce that a true Abrenian have passed away.

Leonorio “Leo” Bersamin Tuason, MD, 88, of Plainfield, IN, passed away on October 27, 2017.

Leo was born on April 21, 1929 in Bangued, Abra, Philippines. He was the son of Mariano Barba Tuason and Juana Villamor Bersamin of the Philippines. He was the youngest child of eleven children and grew up during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1941-45 during World War II.

He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines in 1954 with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Leo arrived in the United States of America in 1956 and was a medical intern at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Following a 12-month internship, he completed a 3 year residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at St Joseph Hospital and Central Baptist Hospital. He practiced medicine back in the Philippines, but later returned to the United States and spent 4 years at St. Joseph Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio to finish a General Surgery Residency in 1970.

Leo married Kathleen Quick on May 9, 1969 and began his surgical practice in 1970 in Martinsville, IN. They were married for 48 years and raised their 4 children in Martinsville. Leo became a U.S. Citizen in 1975.

In the early years of Dr. Tuason’s practice, he became Chief of Staff and Head of the Department of Surgery of Morgan County Memorial Hospital, Martinsville, IN. He belonged to the following organizations: the Rotary Club in Martinsville, Morgan County Medical Society, Indiana Medical Association, Indiana Philippine Medical Association, American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, Associate of Military Surgeons, Society of Bariatric Physicians, American Medical Association and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. He was the inventor of the patented Knot Pusher and Trainer Box for surgeons who aspire to become Laparoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Tuason joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves as Lt. Col. in 1983 and worked as a physician at Grissom Air Force Base. He retired from his medical practice in 2000.

He was a gardener, pianist, singer, family genealogist, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.

Dr. Tuason is survived by his wife Kathy, four children Renato (Karen Laski), Rogelio, Elena (Brad Bolin), Ricardo “Rick” (April Wampler), and eight grandchildren.

A Calling will be on November 4th at 9:00am at St. Susanna Church in Plainfield, IN followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00am with Fr. Glenn O’Connor officiating. A private burial at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield, IN will take place afterwards. Funeral arrangements are coordinated by Hall Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Music Ministry of St. Susanna Church, 1210 E Main St, Plainfield, IN 46168 to celebrate his love of music. Online condolences can be made at http://www.bakerfuneralservice.com