Dr. Anthony “Tony” R. West, 52, of Kenosha, WI, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022, at Ascension All Saints in Racine, WI. He was surrounded by his loving family and received into a life of eternal peace. It was repeated so often that Tony was the kindest man. Even during his last months as he battled his illness, his medical caregivers always noted how sweet he was despite all he was going through. Tony was born on January 28, 1970, in Minneapolis, MN to Ronald and Gloria (Puckropp) West. He earned his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in the Department of Psychiatry, Graduate Program in Cellular and Clinical Neurobiology from Wayne State University: School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. He completed his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1998, he married AnnMarie Sundareson at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Detroit, MI. Tony was a proud father, blessed with two sons: Zachary Alistair (21) and Rowan Anthony (15). Tony and AnnMarie were married for 19 years. Tony was employed as a scientist in the Department of Neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science until his retirement as a tenured Full Professor in March 2020. He mentored over 16 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and participated in the training of at least 60 undergraduate and rotational students. He was a beloved professor. He sat on many committees and gave many lectures and presentations around the world. He published numerous novel research papers, authored book chapters, and edited scientific texts. He collaborated with other scientists in the states and abroad. He received over 4.5 million dollars in research funding from the NIH and private foundations. He received many awards and honors during his tenure. He was adored and respected by his colleagues. Tony enjoyed the outdoors. He loved fishing and boating. He found maintaining saltwater and freshwater aquariums relaxing. He truly appreciated music and inspired his son Zachary. He was a diehard fan of the Minnesota Vikings. Tony is survived by his two sons, Zachary and Rowan; his former wife AnnMarie; his mother, Gloria; his brother, Jeffery (Jill) West; stepfather, Bruce Wojak; Dianne Schimek; cousin, Sheila Hedstrom-Pleger; in-laws, Alistair and Omana Sundareson, Edwin and Sukanya Sundareson, Meera and Jonathan Schlack, and loving nieces and nephews. Tony was preceded in death by his father; Aunty Geraldine Hedstrom; his dear grandmothers, Anne Puckropp and Bea West-Brenna; and his most beloved cousin, Scott Hedstrom (1/11/67-3/25/2002). A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Proko Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at 4:00 p.m. To livestream the service please copy and paste this link into your browser, https://facebook.com/ProkoFuneralHome/live_videos/ at that time. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Mental Health America (mentalhanational.org) would be appreciated by the family. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111 60th St. 262 654 3533Visit & Sign Tony’s Online Memorial Book:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
John Reynolds
April 3, 2022
In fond memory of you Tony. You are a great guy and one of my first and best science friends. I will miss our laughs.A proverb from our Māori people, “Kua hinga te Totara i te wao nui a Tane”.This means: “The Totora has fallen in the great forest”. A Totara is a large tree that lives for hundreds of years, and when one of them falls in the forest, it is a great tragedy. RIP my friend.John Reynolds, New Zealand.
Denise Werner
April 3, 2022
My heart breaks for all of you. I remember Tony as a kind man always friendly to everyone he met. My favorite memory of him was at my wedding in 1994. His wife (girlfriend at the time) Ann Marie was my maid of honor and her parents were meeting him for the first time. Tony caught the garter belt and his future sister-in-law (Ann Marie’s sister) Meera caught the bouquet. The tradition is for the man to put the garter on the leg of the woman catching the bouquet in a flirty way. Tony was so embarrassed, yet handled it like a gentleman and was very respectful to all. A true classy man with a heart of gold.
Andrew and Julia S.
April 2, 2022
Dear West and Sundareson Family,Our deepest condolences and prayers for all of you on the news of Tony's passing. Tony's kindness, laughter, and wit, will forever live in our hearts and minds. Thinking of you Meenu, Zachary, and Rowan with all of our love. Memory eternal, dear brother Tony - rest in peace with the angels.With love,Andrew and Julia S.Washington DCApril 2, 2022
Shreaya Chakroborty
April 2, 2022
I am deeply saddened to hear about Tony’s passing. I offer my love and heartfelt sympathy to his family. I know he meant the world to them and so many of us. I shall always remain grateful to Tony, my mentor, for his generosity, his support, and his friendship.
Biju
April 1, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers with Meenu and family. We will truly miss Tony's smile, humor and kindness. Nothing but great memories!Biju, Gina & Maya
Malayappan Shridhar
April 1, 2022
I got to know Tony through his father-in-law Dr. Sundareson and his college friend (my son) Ravi Shridhar. Tony impressed me with his kindness, helpful attitude and his outstanding scholarship. I am truly saddened by his untimely passing at such an young age. I offer my condolences to Meenu and their kids, Omana and Shanker. Peace
Linda Hinthorne
April 1, 2022
I was so shocked to hear of Tony's passing. After working with Tony for so many years, he was a guy who always had a smile on his face and an inspiration to many. Many prayers to his family. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Tony!!! Linda Hinthorne
Stephen Sammut
March 30, 2022
My family (who has many fond memories of Tony), my students (who have heard so much about Tony, my lab and I offer our deepest condolences to the family. I will always be indebted to Tony for his kindness and support, his mentorship and friendship - because even in times where we disagreed, we still managed to maintain the friendship. There are not many people like him in this world. There is so much that I can say, but words seem to be insufficient. He is in my family and my prayers.