Herbert S. HUNTER M.D.

HUNTER, Captain Herbert S., M.D.
July 1917 - February 2012

Dr. Hunter passed away February 19, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born in Latrobe, PA to Roy and Marie Hunter. He survived 2 younger brothers who died in early childhood. Those losses triggered his desire and need to become a physician.

He met the love of his life Lois in 1943. They married in Greensburg, PA in 1945 & had 61 wonderful years together before Lois passed away. He is survived by his three children: Craig Hunter (Connie), Lynn Cooke, and Diane Vasquez (Mark); his grandchildren Todd Hunter (Sara), Christopher Hunter, Tyler Cooke, and Kate Vasquez, his two great-grandchildren Hayden Hunter and Leo Cooke.

Dr. Hunter spent the first half of his life in Pennsylvania. Upon high school graduation he attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, and then attended Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, eaming his medical degree in 1944.

He entered Army Basic Training in July 1945. The Army sent him to Columbia University where he studied post-graduate work in Psychiatry. The Army transferred him to San Pedro, CA in December 1945 and was shipped out immediately on the Liberty Transport Ship to bring wounded soldiers back to CA. He also served on the hospital ships 'Mercy' and "Hope" in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1947.

Dr. Hunter then entered his Ear, Nose, & Throat residency in Cleveland, Ohio with Lois at his side. They moved to Sacramento in 1950, where he established his ENT practice. House calls were frequent, long hours mandatory. He was one of four neighborhood doctors who treated kids who played & went to school with their kids. He retired from private practice in late 1986 then served the US Air Force for 3 years as Flight Surgeon at McClellan AFB & established the Hearing Preservation Clinic. He later served the Veterans Clinics in Martinez and Sacramento as the Chief of the ENT Dept.

After 'retiring', he learned how to grow orchids. He also continued to do what he loved to do: hunt, fish, travel, and spend time with his family and friends. Being the loving, devoted wife, Lois traveled the world with Herb, often to attend Medical Seminars for his required medical Continuing Education.



Dr. Hunter became a Mason at Tehama Lodge No. 3, F. & A.M. and then a member of the Scottish Rite; he served on the Board of Governors of the Sacramento Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center; he was a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. He was a member of Ben Ali Shrine and founded Ben Ali Medics in 1975. He was Medical Director Emeritus of Ben Ali. 'Doc' (as he was fondly referred to by friends) was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, nationally & locally. He was Director of ROJ Ct. 119 in 1987 & was a member of the Medical Staff of the National Court.

Dr. Hunter's family will deeply miss him, as will his friends & colleagues nationwide. He touched so many other lives and leaves a terrible hole with his passing. He lived life to its fullest, as long as he could. Doc put his whole heart into everything he did. He felt it his duty to greet everyone he came in contact with and to bring a smile to everyone's face. Doc had a large mental list of jokes for which he is famous. He loved children and loved seeing the Shrine Clowns make the kids laugh. So send in the clowns to make us all remember how to smile without him.

Per Dr. Hunter's request, a private service will be held to honor his life and contributions to our world. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacramento Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center, 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, or to the charity of your, choice, in his honor.