Harry Oberhelman

Harry A. Oberhelman Jr. MD.

November 15, 1923 – February 10, 2016

Harry Oberhelman Jr., professor emeritus of surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, died peacefully at his home on February 10, 2016. He was 92.
For more than 50 years, Oberhelman, known to many as Dr. O, was untiringly committed to his Stanford patients. He trained more than 160 general surgery residents during his career. Oberhelman retired from active surgical practice at 2001 but continued to consult and teach until 2006, when he joined Stanford Health Care's International Medical Services, as its medical director. He developed many friendships during his travels to the far east as the medical director.
Dr. Oberhelman was born in Chicago, Illinois, the eldest son of a surgeon. He attended Yale and completed joint bachelor's and medical degrees in 1946 at the University of Chicago. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty. Oberhelman served with the United States Air Force Medical Corps before returning to the University of Chicago to complete his surgical training. In 1960, he moved his family to Stanford to join the faculty of the Medical School.
Oberhelman was an avid fan of Stanford football, tended cymbidium orchids and enjoyed relaxing at the family cabin in Wisconsin.
In addition to his wife Betty, Dr. Oberhelman is survived by his brother John; Sister Barbara Uecker; sons Harry of San Jose, James and Robert of Stanford; daughter Nancy of Colfax; nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. March 16 at Memorial Church on the Stanford campus. Please plan extra time as parking is limited and some distance from the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Stanford University Development Services, In memory of Dr. Harry Oberhelman Jr., PO. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466.