Michael David Bajo

The San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/30/2008

BAJO, MICHAEL DAVID M.D., (Miso) Michael David Bajo was born in East Chicago, Indiana, September 8, 1919, to Slovak immigrant parents. He graduated with honors from St. Procopius University (now Benedectine University), where he starred in basketball and baseball.

Michael was drafted and signed by the Chicago White Sox Baseball Club in 1941. He played professional ball at Waterloo, Iowa, in the III league.

His love of medicine called Michael to Loyola Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated with an M.D. in 1944 in the midst of World War II as a naval officer. Dr. Bajo served as medical officer for the destroyer USS Dobbins, caring for the wounded soldiers in the Pacific theater during WWII.

After the war, he was stationed in San Diego, and continued his medical training at Mercy Hospital. There he met his future wife Sarah, a nurse at Mercy. Together they moved to San Ysidro in 1948 to start a much needed medical practice in an underserved community.

For many years, Dr. Bajo was the only physician in San Ysidro, caring for patients on both sides of the border. Dr. Bajo practiced as a General Practitioner, and a skillful physician and surgeon. Michael Bajo's medical office was open to all and he would sometimes accept payment in the form of chickens or produce. He was always available for his patients, often making night time house calls.

Dr. Bajo specialized in Obstetrics, delivering more than 11,000 babies. He was a highly respected staff member of Scripps and Sharp Chula Vista hospitals, and a pillar of the medical community.

In 1988, Dr. Bajo was honored as San Diego Physician of the Year. He retired after 52 years of medical service. Michael and Sarah Bajo raised their 15 children on their ranch in the Palm City area of San Diego.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Michael Bajo was a faithful parishioner of St. Charles Catholic Church, and a strong supporter of Marian and Mater Dei High Schools. He passed away peacefully at his home on September 26, 2008 surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Sarah; sister Elizabeth Coolidge; brother Joseph Bajo; his 15 children, Sarah Warren, Susanne Town, Stephen Bajo, Michael Bajo, Philip Bajo, Mary Reardon, Elizabeth Kinsley, Theresa Gautille, Anne Bajo, David Bajo, John Bajo, Joseph Bajo, Martie Kelly, Rachel Boswell, and Ruth Bajo-Smith; his 41 grandchildren, and his six great-grand children.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Birthline, 1220 3rd Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910, (619) 425-5012.

Services will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church in Imperial Beach, Rosary at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.