ROCKLAND — Frederick "Ted" LaRochelle Jr., 65, died suddenly at home Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, after a brief illness.

Born in Springfield, Mass., April 3, 1947, to Frederick T. Sr, and Malda Fink LaRochelle, Ted grew up in Springfield and was a graduate of Classical High School. He attended West Point from 1964 to 1966, studied at the University of Massachusetts and later graduated from American International College in Springfield. Ted earned his doctorate in physiology from Florida State University in 1975 and completed a post doctoral fellowship at Dartmouth Medical School the following year. He then earned his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School in 1986.

Ted married Mary Edith Eckel Sept. 12, 1970, at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield.  In 1977 they adopted a daughter, Hilary Constance. They had two other children, Kathryn Augustine, born in 1978, and Adrian Stewart, born in 1981.

Ted worked for many years in emergency medicine, both at Togus VA Hospital and Maine General Medical Center. He worked as a family physician in private practice in Winthrop, Maine, Rochester, N.H., and Nantucket, Mass. Prior to that he worked at NASA researching the physiology of space flight and then as a director of the Space Biomedical Research Institute.

Ted was an avid cyclist, traveler, craftsman and outdoor sport enthusiast. He was known for his compassion for animals and was a devout family man who adored his grandchildren, Greydon Francis, Maeve Hilary and Violet Rochelle. Through his travels and interests he made many wonderful friends. He lived a life of generosity and heart-felt compassion, which touched the lives of his family, many friends and patients.

Predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Malda; and one brother, Thomas LaRochelle; Ted is survived by his wife, Mary; three children, Hilary, Kathryn and Adrian; three grandchildren, Greydon, Maeve and Violet; one son-in-law, Brendan Gavin; two brothers, James and Peter; and three sisters, Patricia Dailey, Elizabeth Eakins, and Sarah Wheeler.

A memorial service in celebration of Ted’s life will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. David Eckel will officiate.

Donations may be made in Ted’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.