Roger Eugene Wilcox

Dr. Roger Eugene Wilcox Dr. Roger Eugene Wilcox died July 30, 2006 of complications of congestive heart failure. His laughter, mischief, and adventurous nature will truly be missed but not forgotten by all whose lives he touched. His passion for medicine was shown by his caring for the whole person and dedication to the craft and art of surgical procedures. Born April 11, 1923, in Chicago, he grew up in Drummond, Montana. He attended the University of Montana, an active Sigma Chi, before enlisting in the US Army in 1943. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1948 and trained as a surgical resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. Re-enlisting in the Army in 1951, he served for 19 months in Korea at the 8063 M.A.S.H. and achieved renown both as a surgeon and as a personality, with some of his exploits immortalized in the book, movie and TV series M*A*S*H. After finishing his residency at the MGH in 1956, he moved to Beckley, West Virginia where he helped set up and run a successful surgical residency program at the Miner's Memorial Hospital. His studies of lung diseases of coal miners helped lead to the first "Black Lung" laws. In 1964 he moved to Paradise Valley. He entered private practice in cardiovascular, thoracic and general surgery, performing surgical procedures across the Valley as well as teaching at Maricopa County Hospital and the VA Medical Center until his retirement at age 75. An avid flyer, sailor and skier, outside of a hospital he could be found in pursuit of exciting experiences. We will all miss his spontaneous attitude towards life. He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine, daughter Ann Anderson, sons Chris (Lisa) and Roger (Elvira) Wilcox, 3 step children Shawn (Shelly) Berg, Ryan Berg and Jamie (Kelly) Melrose, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Joan and grandson, Jason. Family, friends, patients and colleagues will celebrate his life at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home at 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix (Phone (602) 840-5600) on Wednesday, August 2, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at St. Joseph's Church at 11001 N. 40th Street, Phoenix (Phone 602) 996-5120) on Thursday, August 3 at 10:00 AM

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