Dr. Ferdinand Ach

ACHDr. Ferdinand Jay Ach, a Cincinnati family physician for 50 years known as much for his sense of humor as his passion for patient care, died on Jan. 7 after a long illness. He was 91.Dr. Ach felt strongly about the primary role that family practice physicians should play in the delivery of medical care. To that end, Dr. Ach served a term as the president of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, and was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians Committee on Aging. He also was instrumental the founding of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Throughout his lengthy career, Dr. Ach provided medical care to anyone who needed it, no matter what the circumstances, without regard to ability to pay. He showed concern and compassion for all and was committed to creating meaningful and caring doctor-patient relationships. He was also known for his great sense of humor. Dr. Ach was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1921 to Eugene and Ruth Ilfeld Ach, who moved to Cincinnati during his childhood. He graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1939, and earned a degree in chemistry from Harvard in 1943. Dr. Ach married in 1949 and received his M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1950. He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Joanna; two sons, Jay and Rob; daughter-in-law, Karen; a sister, Gene; and a brother, Tony. A celebration of Dr. Ach's life will be held at "DiStasi at 400" in Wyoming on February 16 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation or the Hamilton County Friends of the Public Library in Dr. F. Jay Ach's name.