Photo by Don Cummings, circa 1984

FOR ED: Ed was my best friend in college. Though we hadn’t seen each other in a long time, living far apart, I always enjoyed our phone conversations over the years. Ed was thoughtful and philosophical and was honest about everything. When we met in college, we were a pair of misfits. Somehow, Tufts was fancy and somehow we were a bit more salt of the earth. Our clothes weren’t right, our shoes were the wrong color brown, our glasses were from a different era. But we found our place there within a large group of friends. We once had an Ed party, for no other reason than to celebrate Ed’s Edness. We made him a crown. When we asked him if he thought it was odd that we were throwing him a party in his honor he responded, “Of course not. This will be delightful.” Ed was fine with a joke and was fine if the joke was on him. He took scuba and walked around the dorm halls in fins and mask. He was always excited about new projects and he loved life—especially at the cellular level. He thought biology was so cool. Which it is, of course. As students often do, we talked into the late hours about relationships, friendships and of course, death. He used to say, “In one second, it’s just, BLAM, that’s it.” Ed was mystified by death, as was I. I am so bereft that it came to him so young. He was always there for me. My first two years at Tufts were a bit emotionally tumultuous, and Ed never flagged in being my friend. He endured driving between New York and Boston in my horrible Yellow AMC Hornet that overheated so much that the drive took 8 hours. Because his early years were lived in Argentina, he often had gaps in simple knowledge of American things. He thought turkeys were male chickens. Of course, he may have been joking. We sat together at graduation as Biology majors and best friends. He was family to me. I loved him and I hope, wherever he is, it is peaceful and humorous. Ed liked to have a good time. I will miss him forever. Sincerely, Don Cummings, Tufts ‘84

Dr. Eduardo “Ed” Otto Caveda, 54, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. Born on January 29, 1962 in Moulins France to Otto Caveda and Vivivana Phelps.

Dr. Eduardo Caveda spent his younger years in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At age six, he moved to New York where he remained until graduation from United Nations International School. Dr. Caveda received his Bachelor degree from Tufts University in Medford Massachusetts. He went on to receive his Medical Degree from Boston University.

Dr. Caveda joined the United States Army after graduation and completed his internship at Brooks Army Medical Center. After his internship he cared for troops for three years in Germany, then was stationed in Virginia to continue caring for troops until 1997.

Dr. Caveda established a private primary care practice in Orange Grove, Texas. He later opened a second practice in San Diego, Texas. Dr. Caveda relocated with his family to San Antonio, Texas in 2012. He was working for Wellmed Medical Group. Dr. Caveda was able to touch the lives of many. He cared deeply about his patients and their families.

Survivors include his wife Veronica Caveda; his daughter, Gianna Caveda; his three sons, Justin, Evan and Aaron Caveda; his stepson, Patrick (Mercedes) Ramirez; his granddaughter, Lilliana; his father, Otto Caveda; his mother, Viviana Phelps; his stepfather, Edmund Phelps; his sisters, Monica Pucci and Claudia Caveda; and his mother in law, Elva Pena.

On Friday, April 8, 2016 at 1:00pm a Memorial Service will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78218. An inurnment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.