Francis Irving Catlin MD

Francis Irving Catlin, MD, died on Monday, the 24th of February 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Francis and his identical twin brother, Robert, the sons of Robert Irving Catlin and Francis Rose Maleski, were born in Hartford, Connecticut on the 6th of December 1925. In 1943, Fran, as he was known by everyone, entered Princeton University as part of the Class of 47. Due to wartime acceleration he was awarded an AA degree by Princeton and entered into Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1944. He met Rebecca Graham during their student years while she attended the School of Nursing. They were married on the 11th of June 1948, after he was awarded his degree as a Doctor of Medicine.

Fran served his residency of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1955, having been made a fellow at the School of Medicine in 1950. He received his Doctor of Science from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health & Hygiene in 1959.

While in Medical School, Fran also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, being discharged as a Coxswain in 1945. He served as a Captain in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, with active duty in the 1100th Medical Group at Bolling Field Air Force Base in Washington D.C. from 1950 to 1952. He then returned to practice medicine at Johns Hopkins until 1972.

In 1972, Fran and Rebie moved to Houston where Fran became the Chief of Service for the Department of Otolaryngology and the Director of the Department of Speech, Language, and Learning Disorders at the Texas Children’s Hospital. He also was a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. In 1991, he achieved Professor Emeritus status. Over his tenure, Fran received numerous awards and fellowships and was considered a leader in the field of pediatric otolaryngology.

Fran was very active at St. Francis Episcopal Church where he was a member of the choir and several study groups. He moved to the Buckingham after the passing of his wife of 60 years and became a strong member of the community there. His favorite activities were music, reading, and the Arts. His greatest love was his family and he had an overall passion for life.

He is survived by his sons, Robert and wife Pamela; and Andrew and wife Irene, both of Maryland; his daughter, Martha White and husband Craig of Fort Worth. He is also survived by two grandchildren; and by his brother, Robert and wife Winifred.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 14th of March, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road in Houston, where the Rev. Stuart Bates, Rector, is to officiate.

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Wheatcroft Parish Hall.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment in Church Hill, Maryland.

In lieu of customary remembrances, donations in Fran’s memory may be directed to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Rd., Houston, TX, 77024; or the charity of one’s choice.