Dr. Riley Donald Woodson

Dr. R. Donald Woodson died peacefully after a lengthy illness on February 6, 2012. Dr. Woodson was born December 24, 1931 in Winfield, Kansas and predeceased in death by his Father, Riley D. Woodson and Mother, Ruth P. Benedict Woodson. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Dean Woodson (nee Venier), her children, Jeffery (Margot) Pocisk of Dayton, OH, Sheri Sobel, of Chicago, IL, Monica Morgan of Charlotte, NC, two Sons, Riley D. Woodson of San Diego, CA, and Wade C. Woodson (Brenda), Grandsons Wyatt, Connor and Riley of Atherson, CA, Stepmother Virginia Maria Woodson of Kansas City, MO., his Sister Marjorie Woodson Brownlee (Jerry) of Hico, TX, nieces, nephews and their families, his dear friends Dr. Norman Fee of Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. David E. Raab (Peggy) of Palm Desert, CA, and his cherished friends and brothers of Beta Theta Pi. Dr. Woodson was a graduate of Shawnee Mission High School, Mission, KS, the 1949 Salutatorian. He received a B.A. in 1953 from Kansas University, where he was a member of the Varsity “K” Club, Owl Society and President of Sachem Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, as well as his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. Throughout his academic career he received many other honors and awards and contributed numerous publications in surgical/medical journals. Dr. Woodson was a lifelong Jayhawk fan and a former member of the KU basketball team who played alongside friend and future University of North Carolina coach, Dean Smith. Dr. Woodson had a great sense of humor with a wide range of interests and skills; he was a talented artist, pianist, a Certified SCUBA Diver (USNS, 1969), qualified Marksman (USNAF, 1978) and a member of MENSA. He was proud of his Kansas heritage and spent many happy hours working on the farm his Grandparents homesteaded at the turn of the 20th Century near Penalosa, KS. Following his graduation from KU Medical School in 1956, Dr. Woodson interned at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX, 1956-57, and completed residencies in General Surgery at University of Minnesota Hospitals in Minneapolis, MN, 1957-63. He was a fellow in cardiothoracic surgery at University of Oregon Hospital, Portland, OR, 1965-67, and fellow in cardiac surgery, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Portland, Oregon (Dr. Albert Starr). Certified, American Board of Thoracic Surgery/American Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery .

Academic appointments included:

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiopulmonary Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL (9/1/67 – 12/31/68).

Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center (1/1/69 – 11/4/78).

Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center (11/5/78 – present).

Hospital appointments included:

Medical Staffs, Toledo Hospital; St. Luke’s Hospital (Toledo); Bellevue Hospital (Bellevue, OH); Magruder Hospital (Port Clinton, OH); Firelands

Hospital (Sandusky, OH); between 1972 – 1992.

Medical Staff, Eisenhower Memorial Hospital, Rancho Mirage,

California (1993 – 1996).

Medical Staff, Desert Hospital, Palm Springs, California (1993 – 1996).

Medical Staff, John F. Kennedy Hospital, Indio, California (1994 – 1996).

Military Service

“Outstanding Freshman R.O.T.C. Student” medal, University of Kansas,

1950.

Awarded Berry Plan deferment in Surgery, allocated to U.S. Navy, 1957.

Active Duty, February, 1963 – February, 1965 as follows:

U.S.S. Constellation CVA-64; 10 months Assistant Medical

Officer, 5 months Acting Medical Officer (Pacific Theater).

U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego, 9 months; General Surgery

Staff; Ancillary Duty; O-in-C, Surgical Team 14, Fleet Marine

Force.

U.S. Naval Institute; Reserve Officer’s Association; Naval

Reserve Association; Navy League.

Certified SCUBA Diver, Underwater Swimmer’s School, USNS Key

West, 1969; qualified Marksman (.45 cal. Pistol), USNAF Detroit,

1978.

Permanent Rank; Captain MC, USNR

Legal

Licensure: University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., 1984

Memberships: Ohio Bar Association, 1984

Federal (Northern District of Ohio) Bar Association, 1985

Toledo Bar Association (MD/JD Commission; Real Estate Commission)

Ottawa County Bar Association

American Society of Law and Medicine

Community Organizations

Barton Smith Lodge, F.A.A.M.

Toledo Commandery #7, Knight Templars

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

Zenobia Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.

Habitat For Humanity, Ottawa County Branch

American Cancer Society, Ottawa County Branch

The family thanks all of the staff at the Jane Baker House, Otterbein Retirement Center and also wishes special many thanks to Dave Wilson, personal trainer. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Humane Society of Ottawa County, 2424 E. Sand Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452, in his memory are suggested. A private family graveside military service will be held at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City, MO on Saturday, February 11, 2012. It is an old Kansas saying that “Sooner or later the guys in the white hat win.” Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.