Dr. Tadeusz Kotas, physician

Kotas

Dr. Tadeusz Kotas, 84, a well-known Buffalo area physician, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007 in his East Amherst home.

Born in Krakow, Poland, Dr. Kotas was raised in Krakow and in Chesin. While at a mandatory student military camp as a young teenager, Germany invaded Poland and he was thrust into the 1st Polish Corps, never to return home or see his parents again. His corps was placed in a Russian prison camp during World War II. Eventually, he was given the option to join the British 8th Army and subsequently served under Viscount Bernard Law Montgomery and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Dr. Tadeusz fought throughout Southeast Asia and Italy. After the war, he was given the opportunity to return to Italy and attend medical school at the University of Bologna. There, he learned fluent Italian, Latin and English.

After medical school, Dr. Kotas was able to emigrate to the United States and eventually settled in Buffalo due to the large Polish population. He successfully interviewed at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital and took his residency in internal medicine at Millard Fillmore Hospital, where he remained on staff through his retirement.

Dr. Kotas became ill in September 2004 and closed his 50-year practice in internal medicine.

Dr. Kotas was a member of the Western New York Society of Internal Medicine, the American Society of Internal Medicine and the American Medical Association. He also served as a clinical professor at the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Kotas was a long-time member of Brookfield Country Club, where he enjoyed golf for over 40 years. He also enjoyed sports, classical music, gourmet food and card games such as bridge.

Dr. Kotas is survived by his wife of 34 years, the former Audrey Vodille; four sons, Steven, Paul, Alan and Michael; a daughter, Leslie Bisson; and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Friday, Sept. 7 in Calvary Episcopal Church.

Arrangements were made by Amigone Funeral Home.