Dr. Manuel Galdos, 79, of Yorktown, passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2023 with his loving wife and daughter by his side.

Dr. Galdos was born in Lima, Peru on April 4, 1943 as Manuel Segundo Galdós Etchebaster, the fourth child and only son of the late Manuel Alberto Galdós Medina and Angela Etchebaster de Galdós.  Studious from an early age, he received an award of academic excellence from President Manuel Prado Ugarteche, the 46th president of Peru, as a young man.  After graduating from San Marcos University in Lima, Peru in 1968 with a Doctor of Medicine Degree, he spent a year in general practice with the Peruvian Army.  Dr. Galdos came to the United States in 1970 for an internship in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to residency and then serving as Chief OB-GYN Resident at Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia in 1973.  His medical training and education continued in 1974 in New York City with a fellowship in gynecological oncology at Columbia University.

Dr. Galdos was one of the lucky few who had a true calling in the practice of medicine, and after two years in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia, he returned to his wife's native Tidewater region.  A Peninsula resident for almost 46 years, he took pride in treating his patients as a solo practitioner and consistently had walls overflowing with pictures of the thousands of babies that he had delivered.  Dr. Galdos was a generous and devoted community physician, and his kindness and warmth made him a true class act.

Dr. Galdos was a past member of the American Medical Association, the American Fertility Society and the Peninsula Rotary Club as well as a diplomat of the American Board of OB-GYN. He also volunteered as a physician with Richmond's Crossover Health Clinic and Chesapeake Care Clinic in retirement.  He was a member of the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS) and throughout his career attended numerous medical missions bringing medical supplies and new techniques to rural villages in Peru.  Seeing the dire need, especially for women, in these rural areas had inspired him to pursue medicine as a young child.  Dr. Galdos was ahead of his time as a progressive for women's health.

His second passion in life was running, completing each of the New York City Marathon and the Washington, D.C. Marathon twice.  He loved to encourage the health benefits of running, and most people who spoke to him about the sport later received a couriered copy of his beloved Galloway's Book on Running to guide their journey.

In retirement, Dr. Galdos enjoyed playing the guitar, reading good literature, practicing his French and visiting his daughter Michelle in New York City.  His greatest joy in life came from being a father and husband, and he was always by his daughter's side with encouragement, inspiration and love.  Dr. Galdos ran his last road race together with Michelle in 2016.

Dr. Galdos is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Virginia Burton Galdos, and daughter, Michelle Burton Galdos.  Also surviving are his sisters Nelly Galdós Etchebaster de Cúneo, Dora Galdós Etchebaster and Liliana Galdós Etchebaster, all of Lima, Peru, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  His sister Gloria Galdós Etchebaster de Montoya predeceased him.

The family expresses a heartfelt thanks to Annette Grant for her dedication and the compassionate care provided to Dr. Galdos at the end of his life.  We also thank Nikki Dame for providing excellent hospice support for which we will be forever grateful.

A private memorial will be held.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may made to the Peruvian American Medical Society or to Lewy Body Dementia Research at Columbia University .

W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home is handling arrangements.