Dr Apel was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Otto F. Apel, Sr. He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School and Columbia College in New York City. Dr. Apel excelled in sports in both high school (four letters each in football, basketball, baseball and track) and college, and was elected to several college All-American football teams.
After college, Dr Apel attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1948. He served his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland and his surgical residency at Cleveland City Hospital. During his surgical residency, Dr Apel was activated in the Army for service during the Korean War.
Dr Apel reported to the 8076th M.A.S.H., one of four M.A.S.H. units in the Korean theater, to serve as one of three surgeons manning the crowded operating tent just a few short miles behind the front lines. He was assigned as the Chief Surgeon and Executive Officer of the 8076th and participated in and contributed to the several advances in emergency medical care delivery which are generally associated with that war. His experiences in Korea enabled him to serve as a consultant for the television show "M.A.S.H." in the 1970's and publish memoirs of his service, "M.A.S.H: An Army Surgeon in Korea" in 1998.
Upon his discharge from the Army in 1954, Dr Apel began his medical practice in Portsmouth and practiced there until his retirement in 1999. He served as Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and Scioto Memorial Hospital, and was a member of numerous boards and associations, including the Board of Directors of the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Ohio State Medical Society, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Board of Directors of Citizens Savings and Loan Association, National Tennessee Walking Horse Commisssion, YMCA Board of Directors, Portsmouth City School Board and the 38th Parallel Medical Society of Korea. He also served for nearly two decades as the medical director of the Empire Detroit Steel Corporation until the plant closed operations, and was the co-founder and President of the Scioto County Drug Abuse Council.
In addition to his dedication to the community, Dr. Apel enjoyed working on his farm, spending time with his friends, family and animals, and was an ardent sports fan. He also had a passion for horses, and owned, bred and showed Tennessee Walking Horses for over 30 years (winning an Amateur World Championship with his horse, Goldfinger, in the 1970's)
Dr Apel died while being inducted by Gov. Bob Taft into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan; his children, Barney (Brenda) Apel, Patrick (Katherine) Apel, Lindsey (Larry) Martin, Cindy (Rick) Womack, Cathy James, Jody Andre and Paul Andre; his sister, Claire Grossman; his brothers, Bill Apel and David Apel; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday November 12, 2000, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary in Portsmouth with interment in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Military rites were provided at the graveside by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion.
*Obituary copied from the Portsmouth Daily Times, November 2000.
After college, Dr Apel attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1948. He served his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland and his surgical residency at Cleveland City Hospital. During his surgical residency, Dr Apel was activated in the Army for service during the Korean War.
Dr Apel reported to the 8076th M.A.S.H., one of four M.A.S.H. units in the Korean theater, to serve as one of three surgeons manning the crowded operating tent just a few short miles behind the front lines. He was assigned as the Chief Surgeon and Executive Officer of the 8076th and participated in and contributed to the several advances in emergency medical care delivery which are generally associated with that war. His experiences in Korea enabled him to serve as a consultant for the television show "M.A.S.H." in the 1970's and publish memoirs of his service, "M.A.S.H: An Army Surgeon in Korea" in 1998.
Upon his discharge from the Army in 1954, Dr Apel began his medical practice in Portsmouth and practiced there until his retirement in 1999. He served as Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and Scioto Memorial Hospital, and was a member of numerous boards and associations, including the Board of Directors of the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Ohio State Medical Society, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Board of Directors of Citizens Savings and Loan Association, National Tennessee Walking Horse Commisssion, YMCA Board of Directors, Portsmouth City School Board and the 38th Parallel Medical Society of Korea. He also served for nearly two decades as the medical director of the Empire Detroit Steel Corporation until the plant closed operations, and was the co-founder and President of the Scioto County Drug Abuse Council.
In addition to his dedication to the community, Dr. Apel enjoyed working on his farm, spending time with his friends, family and animals, and was an ardent sports fan. He also had a passion for horses, and owned, bred and showed Tennessee Walking Horses for over 30 years (winning an Amateur World Championship with his horse, Goldfinger, in the 1970's)
Dr Apel died while being inducted by Gov. Bob Taft into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan; his children, Barney (Brenda) Apel, Patrick (Katherine) Apel, Lindsey (Larry) Martin, Cindy (Rick) Womack, Cathy James, Jody Andre and Paul Andre; his sister, Claire Grossman; his brothers, Bill Apel and David Apel; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday November 12, 2000, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary in Portsmouth with interment in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Military rites were provided at the graveside by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion.
*Obituary copied from the Portsmouth Daily Times, November 2000.
Dr Apel was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Otto F. Apel, Sr. He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School and Columbia College in New York City. Dr. Apel excelled in sports in both high school (four letters each in football, basketball, baseball and track) and college, and was elected to several college All-American football teams.
After college, Dr Apel attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1948. He served his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland and his surgical residency at Cleveland City Hospital. During his surgical residency, Dr Apel was activated in the Army for service during the Korean War.
Dr Apel reported to the 8076th M.A.S.H., one of four M.A.S.H. units in the Korean theater, to serve as one of three surgeons manning the crowded operating tent just a few short miles behind the front lines. He was assigned as the Chief Surgeon and Executive Officer of the 8076th and participated in and contributed to the several advances in emergency medical care delivery which are generally associated with that war. His experiences in Korea enabled him to serve as a consultant for the television show "M.A.S.H." in the 1970's and publish memoirs of his service, "M.A.S.H: An Army Surgeon in Korea" in 1998.
Upon his discharge from the Army in 1954, Dr Apel began his medical practice in Portsmouth and practiced there until his retirement in 1999. He served as Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and Scioto Memorial Hospital, and was a member of numerous boards and associations, including the Board of Directors of the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Ohio State Medical Society, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Board of Directors of Citizens Savings and Loan Association, National Tennessee Walking Horse Commisssion, YMCA Board of Directors, Portsmouth City School Board and the 38th Parallel Medical Society of Korea. He also served for nearly two decades as the medical director of the Empire Detroit Steel Corporation until the plant closed operations, and was the co-founder and President of the Scioto County Drug Abuse Council.
In addition to his dedication to the community, Dr. Apel enjoyed working on his farm, spending time with his friends, family and animals, and was an ardent sports fan. He also had a passion for horses, and owned, bred and showed Tennessee Walking Horses for over 30 years (winning an Amateur World Championship with his horse, Goldfinger, in the 1970's)
Dr Apel died while being inducted by Gov. Bob Taft into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan; his children, Barney (Brenda) Apel, Patrick (Katherine) Apel, Lindsey (Larry) Martin, Cindy (Rick) Womack, Cathy James, Jody Andre and Paul Andre; his sister, Claire Grossman; his brothers, Bill Apel and David Apel; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday November 12, 2000, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary in Portsmouth with interment in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Military rites were provided at the graveside by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion.
*Obituary copied from the Portsmouth Daily Times, November 2000.
After college, Dr Apel attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1948. He served his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland and his surgical residency at Cleveland City Hospital. During his surgical residency, Dr Apel was activated in the Army for service during the Korean War.
Dr Apel reported to the 8076th M.A.S.H., one of four M.A.S.H. units in the Korean theater, to serve as one of three surgeons manning the crowded operating tent just a few short miles behind the front lines. He was assigned as the Chief Surgeon and Executive Officer of the 8076th and participated in and contributed to the several advances in emergency medical care delivery which are generally associated with that war. His experiences in Korea enabled him to serve as a consultant for the television show "M.A.S.H." in the 1970's and publish memoirs of his service, "M.A.S.H: An Army Surgeon in Korea" in 1998.
Upon his discharge from the Army in 1954, Dr Apel began his medical practice in Portsmouth and practiced there until his retirement in 1999. He served as Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and Scioto Memorial Hospital, and was a member of numerous boards and associations, including the Board of Directors of the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Ohio State Medical Society, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, Board of Directors of Citizens Savings and Loan Association, National Tennessee Walking Horse Commisssion, YMCA Board of Directors, Portsmouth City School Board and the 38th Parallel Medical Society of Korea. He also served for nearly two decades as the medical director of the Empire Detroit Steel Corporation until the plant closed operations, and was the co-founder and President of the Scioto County Drug Abuse Council.
In addition to his dedication to the community, Dr. Apel enjoyed working on his farm, spending time with his friends, family and animals, and was an ardent sports fan. He also had a passion for horses, and owned, bred and showed Tennessee Walking Horses for over 30 years (winning an Amateur World Championship with his horse, Goldfinger, in the 1970's)
Dr Apel died while being inducted by Gov. Bob Taft into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Joan; his children, Barney (Brenda) Apel, Patrick (Katherine) Apel, Lindsey (Larry) Martin, Cindy (Rick) Womack, Cathy James, Jody Andre and Paul Andre; his sister, Claire Grossman; his brothers, Bill Apel and David Apel; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Sunday November 12, 2000, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary in Portsmouth with interment in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Military rites were provided at the graveside by the James Dickey Post 23 American Legion.
*Obituary copied from the Portsmouth Daily Times, November 2000.
