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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1998;116:383-387
© 1998 Mosby, Inc.
In Memoriam |
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery, The Western Thoracic Surgical Association, the entire world of thoracic surgery, and countless individuals have lost a good friend. David Dugan passed away suddenly at his home on May 13, 1998. Dave was a very special person.
He was born on June 29, 1910, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He received his MD from St. Louis University and took his general surgery training in Cleveland, where he met his wife, Lucille. He became a thoracic surgeon somewhat by accident. During World War II he joined the army and was sent to Walter Reed Hospital. He was assigned, through no choice of his own, to the thoracic service headed by Brian Blades. Blades served not only as a mentor but also as a matchmaker. He introduced the young Dr. Dugan to Paul Samson at a meeting of the AATS in Detroit and then sent him to San Francisco to the American College of Surgeons meeting so that the two could become better acquainted. A connection developed and the two decided to become partners practicing thoracic surgery in Oakland, California. This was a relationship that lasted for 30 years.
It was second only to his partnership with Lucille, a union that lasted until her death in 1983. This love affair persisted for 52 years—and even beyond. Dave took a daily bicycle ride of 10 miles, which inevitably took him to her grave site. I had the privilege of riding with him one day when my wife and I visited Dave in St. Helena. Dave borrowed a bicycle for me from his next-door neighbor. We stopped at the grave, as was his custom, and he had a conversation with Lucille. It was mysterious yet at the same time precious. He truly was communicating with her.
Dave was a leader and a founder. He was the president of the AATS in 1976. He was not only the original and three-time president of The Western Thoracic Surgical Association, but he was its true founder and driving force. He was president of the Pacific Coast Surgical Association in 1981 and was elected as a director of the Board of Thoracic Surgery in 1961. He became the Board's vice chairman in 1967 and chairman in 1961. He founded the Bay Area Tumor Institute, a community-based organization whose goals were to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients in the East Bay. He was the dominant individual in the institute for more than 25 years. After he retired from practice and moved to St. Helena, he created a medical clinic for migrant workers in the Napa Valley.
Dave was the consummate physician and ultimate humanitarian. He was born to serve. Personal relationships were the most important thing to him. After he retired in St. Helena, he focused his seemingly boundless energy for the benefit and pleasure of others. He was an active volunteer at the Thrift Shop. He regularly served coffee at the Farmers Market on Fridays and was known as "Dr. Coffee." At home after 5:00 on Friday afternoons he put a flag out on his lawn as a signal that young or old, friend or newcomer, was welcome to drop in for a chat and a sip of wine. He initiated a program for retired doctors to attend luncheon meetings at which speakers covered subjects of wide interest. His most favorite activity in retirement was tutoring fourth-grade elementary school students who were having difficulty with English. Everyone who met him came away a little better for the experience. The world is enriched because of him.
Quentin R. Stiles, MD
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