Roy Lynch DeHart M.D.

Roy Lynch DeHart, MD

Nashville, TN

Roy Lynch DeHart, MD and retired USAF Colonel, 80, passed away suddenly December 23, 2016 with his wife of 59 years, Julia Goodlett DeHart by his side. In addition to his wife he is survived his daughter, Evelyn DeHart Kingsley, his granddaughter, Melissa Wells (James), his grandson, Christopher Kingsley Harrison (Cleve), his great-granddaughters, Morgan Lewis and Madison Lewis and his son and family. He was born in Grayson, KY on January 18, 1936, the son of Sanford Bomar and Gladys Lynch DeHart He was the grandson of John Steele and Minnie Brawner DeHart. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents and his sister, Carolyn Ruth.

WWII took the DeHart family to Oak Ridge, TN where Dr. DeHart graduated from Oak Ridge High School, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Memphis, Johns Hopkins, George Washington University and The National War College. He retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) as a Colonel after many assignments including service in the Vietnam War and Commander of the School of Aerospace Medicine. He was the author of numerous medical articles and The Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine textbook in several editions. After retirement from the USAF his medical focus moved to Occupational Medicine where he served as president of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and additionally president of the American College of Preventive Medicine. He established the University of Oklahoma residency in Occupational Medicine at the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Following his retirement from OU, Dr. DeHart served on a presidential committee established to study the effects of radiation in worker health during the development of atomic energy in World War II. Later, he was associated with Vanderbilt Medical Center/Corporate Health until he fully retired last year.

He was deeply involved in the Boy Scouts attending two National Jamborees, later he earned his Wood Badge and was additionally honored with the Silver Beaver award. During his military life, Roy was involved with the Sojourners and the Maybol Masonic groups in Scotland.

He was baptized in Grayson, KY at an early age and devoted his life to Christianity. Through his military travels his leadership was valued in several churches which included several offices on the church board at one time or another. Dr. DeHart even took a large medical and building mission group to Honduras from a church in Edmond, OK. Roy and Julia enjoyed many years exploring the United States and many countries, first with their children and later their grandchildren.

He was greatly interested in the heavens and gave many presentations in the effects of aviation through space and air travel and was looking forward to the eclipse next year having witnessed one in Prague some years ago.

Dr. DeHart's love of family and sense of humor gave joy to all who knew him. His successes were not only defined by his medical and military life but also personal endeavors as well. He ventured to help all those who needed him and gave invaluable learning experiences to any he encountered. His pursuit of knowledge and willingness to share will proceed him, giving a lifetime of loving memories to all he touched.

Visitation will be held at the Vine Street Christian Church Friday, December 30th from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Vine Street Christian Church