A Tribute to Richard Spear , MD
Dr . Richard C . Spear was born in a small town , Newcomerstown , 85 miles east of Columbus , Ohio in 1919 . He graduated from Ohio State University ( where he played trumpet in the marching band ) and then from Ohio State Medical School ( where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society ) in 1943 . His internship was followed by a surgical fellowship at Mayo Clinic . The fellowship was interrupted by two years of duty with the U . S . Army in postwar Tokyo , Japan .
With completion of his general surgery fellowship in 1951 , he was referred by Mayo Clinic to Dr . Elmer E . Henderson of Louisville , Kentucky as a potential associate (“ at least temporarily ” and if it works out , “ retain him permanently ,” per Dr . Henderson ). Dr Henderson was born in Meade County in 1885 . He was a very prominent general surgeon with a career including Army Medical Corp service in France during WWI , interwar private surgical practice and a WWII role as a regional Chairman for Procurement and Assignment of Kentucky doctors for the Armed Services . Dr . Henderson also excelled as a physician leader of several medical societies from the 1940s into the ‘ 50s . This culminated in his presidency of the American Medical Association in 1951 . Dr . Henderson was a leading national vocal critic of President Harry Truman ’ s “ Fair Deal ” plan for compulsory national health insurance .
Dr . Spear ’ s association with Dr . Henderson was short-lived , as Dr . Henderson died unexpectedly in 1953 . Dr . Spear took over a practice that was largely comprised of the people of Meade County .
He was able to attend not only to their surgical cases , but also their medical needs as general practice was done in that era . In later years , he referred out the general medical problems to an internist . When he retired in 1986 , a local prominent ENT , Dr . George Uhde , noted that patients who were referred to him by Dr . Spear would listen attentively to his advice but always conclude with “ I ’ ll need to first to speak to Dr . Spear before deciding .”
It is appropriate that Dr . Spear ’ s story is still related . His was a monastic life ( never married , limited social circle and no medical society positions ). He was always dignified , but at the same time most kind and humble . There was devotion to not only excellence in studies and training but also to selfless care of his patients . It was a privilege and honor to have been his consultant , personal physician and friend .
-Dr . Peter L . Thurman
January 2025 7