Robert E. CAVEN

WILLIAMSBURG - Robert Emerson Caven was born in Atlantic City, N.J., on June 6, 1938.
He graduated from the University of Virginia as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, as an MD. He thoroughly enjoyed his career as a Family Physician in Hawaii, England, Maine and Virginia.
He entered active duty with the US Air Force in 1965 and served as Medical Officer at Hickham & Wheeler AFB in Hawaii, Chief of Primary Care at Alconbury AFB in England and Langley AFB in Virginia. From 1980-1992 he served the Air National Guard as Chief of Clinical Services, Flight Surgeon, Chief Occupational Medicine Officer/Consultant, and Chief of Professional Services and Primary Care for the 101st United States Air Force Clinic, Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine. In 1991, Colonel Caven was reactivated in response to the Persian Gulf War and assigned to Whiteman AFB in Missouri. In 1992, he was reactivated in response to Operation Desert Shield/Storm and assigned to Langley AFB, Virginia, as Chief of the Family Practice Clinic. In 1994, as Commander of Medical Flight Services, he received an "Outstanding" rating from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Dr. Caven maintained membership in the American College of Physicians, Master Status in the American College of Occupational Medicine and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice. Colonel Caven's military awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Force Overseas long tour ribbon.
Doctor Caven married Judith May Edmond, from Westerly, R.I., in 1963 and they raised six children. They now include: Timothy Hays Caven, PhD, of Germantown, Md.; Dr. Dean Emerson and Jewel Caven of Richmond, Va., and their two sons, James and Joshua; Tobias Lowry and Carolyn Caven of Seattle, Wash.; Leilani Lin and Gabriel Berchesi of Alameda, Calif., and their son, Sebastian; Rebecca Jo and Dr. Marco Alvarez of Mazatlan, Mexico and their children, Marco and Emma; and Jeremiah Morrison and Emily Caven of Springfield, Va., and their daughters, Elizabeth and Fiona.
Doctor Caven was known for his love of choral singing across the US and England. Other interests included running small farms, writing poems and parodies, being a foster parent, helping to develop the Family Problem-Oriented Medical Record and the first Family Practice Training program at the Maine Medical Center and medical volunteering in Virginia, Kentucky and the Dominican Republic. His was a kind, gentle, giving and loving presence that will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be registered at bucktroutfuneralhome.net. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.