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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Former San Jose Mayor Joseph Pace Remembered
San Jose CA Mercury News 9Jun00 P2
By Michael Cronk: Mercury News
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA -- An LDS family physician, stake president, councilman
and San Jose mayor was remembered in the San Jose Mercury News June 9th
following his death in Salt Lake City on May 21st. Dr. Joseph L. Pace was a
physician 'of the old school' in San Jose for nearly 40 years, taking his
black bag with him as he made house calls to those who needed his services.
"He was truly one of a kind -- mixing medicine, family life, his religion,
politics and humanitarian service into a homegrown blend which energized an
83-year-old life of contribution and achievement,'' said his son, Craig Pace
of San Jose.
Dr. Pace set up his medical practice in San Jose following World War II,
operating first from his home, and then from an office he shared with his
brother, Dr. John Pace. A Utah native, Pace was a graduate of BYU and of the
Chicago School of Medicine (1942). He served in the US Navy during the war,
interning at the US Naval Hospital in San Diego, and then serving as flight
surgeon on the USS Monterey, an aircraft carrier. While serving on the
Monterey, Dr. Pace treated a young soldier named Gerald Ford, later
president of the US.
After establishing his practice, Dr. Pace ran successfully for the San Jose
City Council in 1963 on a campaign in which he urged "austerity" and an end
to council member junkets. He then served as mayor from 1964-65, when the
post was essentially honorary, and passed among the members of the city
council. But Pace's re-election bid failed in 1967, and he was unsuccessful
in running in primary elections for state controller and for US Congress.
Dr. Pace also served the LDS Church, first presiding over the LDS student
branch at San Jose State University, and later serving LDS missions to
Mexico/Central America, China (PRC), Russia, and Argentina. He was also
involved in humanitarian relief efforts as a volunteer for the Direct Relief
International organization, leading him to provide medical and humanitarian
services in Afghanistan, Tibet, China, Pakistan, Lebanon and Somalia. He
also volunteered his medical skills to American Indians in Alaska and
Minnesota.
After he retired to Salt Lake City in the early 1980s, Pace was called to
serve as bishop for the Liberty 4th Ward in downtown Salt Lake City, from
which he was finally released last year at the age of 82.
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