RADM Babb received his pharmacy degree from The University of Tennessee and his Masters of Public Health Administration from the University of Memphis. After spending over 20 years practicing community pharmacy in the private sector, he joined the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) in 1989, eventually moving to Washington D.C. Throughout his distinguished career, he was the Director of the National Pharmacy Program and Chief of Health Programs for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Director of the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment in the Office of the Surgeon General, and served as a Regional Health Administrator. In 2002, he was promoted to Assistant Surgeon General.
He served as a leader in the U.S. Public Health Service medical responses to the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. RADM Babb coordinated the largest USPHS activation ever - the response and recovery efforts following the devastating hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. Upon his retirement, he was recognized by the Commissioned Officer’s Association as the “Father of Modern Public Health Response”.
John was born in Cassville, MO to BF and Eleanor Babb (deceased). He was a small-town boy at heart, blessed with a brilliant intellect and unassuming personality accompanied by a lifelong desire to serve others. In his career, one of his proudest accomplishments was mentoring junior USPHS officers, always proud to see their advancements and accomplishments.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, his greatest joy in life centered around his family - and he was affectionately known by his grandchildren as “Pop”. He spent countless days teaching them to fish, play games, and enjoy the outdoors.
After retirement, John found another love - writing. His writing career sustained him throughout the years as his health failed, and he was the proud author of 7 published books, with 3 more to be published posthumously.
John will be dearly missed by his beloved wife and lifelong partner, Victoria; their 4 children, Kim (Sean), Kariann, Kevin (Mindy) and Matt; and his treasured grandchildren Hunter (Megan), Grace, Nicholas, Emma and Nathan. Additionally, he leaves behind two siblings, Joe Babb (Kathy) and Julie Mathis (Chuck), as well as several nieces and nephews.
A private family service and interment will be held at West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Church Health Center, www.churchhealth.org/give , or 901-272-7170, would be appreciated. This organization embodies the healthcare concepts that RADM Babb worked tirelessly for his entire career.
