Dr. Edward Harnett Platz

Dr. Edward Harnett Platz Dr. Edward Harnett Platz passed away in Santa Barbara on August 29, 2010 after a long illness. He was born in Santa Barbara on December 3, 1922, a fifth generation Californian whose ancestors arrived in California in 1834. His great-great grandfather was Gumesindo Jose Hilario Flores, the last Mexican commander of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. Commandante Flores' wife was Cipriana Justina de Llanos y Quintero Flores. When the Americans took control of Santa Barbara in 1846 she hid the Presidio's Mexican flag from them and kept it for many years until she gave it to a destitute neighbor for clothing. Cypriana lived in Santa Barbara until her death at age 103. Dr. Platz attended the Peabody charter school, Santa Barbara High School and medical school at UC Berkely. He served as ship's doctor aboard the USS Curtis at the end of World War II. After leaving the navy he practiced medicine in Long Beach, California with the Obispo Medical Group and the Harriman Jones Clinic from 1948 until his retirement in 1988. He twice served as president of the California Academy of Family Practice and served 2 terms as chief of staff at Long Beach Community Hospital. Upon his retirement to Santa Barbara Dr. Platz served on the Santa Barbara Mental Health Commission and also as a Red Cross volunteer. Dr. Platz is survived by his beloved wife, Doris. He is father to sons, James, Wally, Stephen and Shawn and daughters, Peggy, Kathleen and Elizabeth. He has 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Direct Relief International.