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.