Obituaries

Andrew Antonio Pringos

Dr. Andrew Antonio Pringos, 97, died February 12, 2013, in Bartlesville, Okla. He was known to his friends as Hank. Dr. Pringos was born March 19, 1915, in Richmond, Va., to Antonio and Smaragda (Papanastassia) Pringos. The young couple had emigrated from Zagora, Greece in 1912. Hank grew up in Petersburg, Va., where his three younger sisters were born. His father died in 1922, leaving his mother to support the family through the family restaurant where she worked the 12-hour day shift. Hank attended public schools in Petersburg and earned both his undergraduate degree and his medical degree at The University of Virginia. He met Harriet Barbara Phillips of Altheimer, Ark., while they were students at the university. They were married in 1942 at Charleston, S.C., while they were both serving in the armed forces. Dr. Pringos had been inducted into the U.S. Navy as a medical officer at the beginning of WWII. He served in the South Pacific and was later discharged with the rank of Commander from the Naval Reserves. Upon completion of his residency in internal medicine at Charity Hospital through Tulane University, New Orleans, Dr. Pringos established a medical practice in Little Rock. He practiced there from 1947 until 1980. At one time he served as Chief of Staff at St. Vincent Infirmary and for many years served on the teaching staff at the University of Arkansas Medical Center. Dr. Pringos was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Phillips Pringos; son Lawrence Theodore Pringos; sister Theodora Pringos, and niece Maria Levathes Sherin. Survivors include his daughter, Angela Pringos Box and husband Roger of Bartlesville, Okla.; daughter-in-law, Mary Shanklin Pringos of Altheimer, Ark.; granddaughter, Laura Box Thurmond and husband Harris, with daughters, Audrey and Veronica; and granddaughter, Andrea Box Maher and husband Tom, with daughters, Adeline and Mary; all of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by two sisters, Antonia Pringos of Washington, D.C.; and Effie Pringos Levathes and husband Louis and their daughter Georgia Levathes Cullum and family, all of Harper's Ferry, W.Va.; and other nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends. A man of gracious Southern manners, Hank always greeted friends with a hug, a chuckle and a twinkle in his eye. He had many interests including music, woodworking and watercolors, but most of all he enjoyed and loved people. Interment will take place in Bellwood Cemetery, Pine Bluff at 10:30 a.m. on Feb 25, under the direction of Ralph Robinson & Son. A reception celebrating his life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Elder Care in Bartlesville, Okla., on Sat, March 9. Memorials may be made to your local YMCA or to the YMCA, 101 N Osage, Bartlesville, Okla. 74003.

Published February 22, 2013

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