Physician, educator
Dr. Theodore Christou, 71, died on Aug. 4, 2024. Born July 25, 1953, he was first and foremost a physician and an educator, vocations he pursued with passion and proficiency. He specialized in internal medicine and geriatrics during more than 25 years of private practice; served as medical director of Rosary Hill Home in Justice; worked at clinics in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago; and was associate program director and then program director of the internal medicine residency program at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago. The aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina motivated him to join medical relief efforts in New Orleans, the first of many mission trips to places including Uganda, Haiti, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Ted married the love of his life, Thea (Grendahl) on Nov. 3, 1984, and they raised their sons, Nicholas (Tracy Park) and Christopher (Katie Young) in Oak Park. He dearly wanted to be a Papou, and delighted in his grandson, James Anastase Christou-Young.
He was generous and a consummate host, famous for his lamb roasts. He was a collector and connoisseur of fine bourbon, good cigars, and vintage bicycles. He loved music, especially jazz and the Rolling Stones, attending several of the Stones’ “final” tours and most Lollapaloozas. He liked to travel, especially to Greece, his family homeland.
He leaves countless great friends to mourn his passing. Other survivors include his mother, Angeline Christou; his sister, Ann (Dan) Cussick; his godson, Andrew Leonard; his goddaughter, Catherine Kafkis; and his many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Anastase Christou.
Memorials in Ted’s honor can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at Chapel Hills Garden West, 17W201 E. Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, from 3 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be Monday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m., at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 S. Wolf Road, Westchester, followed by burial at Chapel Hills.