William A. Teipner M.D.

1925 - 2015

William A. Teipner, M.D.

February 9, 1926

February 16, 2015

Gifted with million dollar hands and a five-cent backswing

Bill Teipner (a.k.a. "The Chief," "The Kid," "The Legend," "The Big Shot, careful how you spell it…" and "The Greatest Orthopedic Surgeon That Ever Lived!") was born in Butte, Montana where he was raised as "a real cowboy" with his brother and best friend, Jimmy Teipner.

Cut loose and bound for glory after high school, he pursued his life-long dream of becoming a physician. After completing his training at the University of Oregon Medical School, he joined the Navy and served his country as a Lieutenant (junior grade) doctor in Korea with the 1st Marine Division. He performed numerous life-saving feats while under heavy fire and received two commendations with Combat "Vs". He was proud of his service to his country and spoke of his tours often and fondly.

Following his discharge from the armed services, he continued his post-graduate training at the University of California Medical Center where he completed residencies in Pediatrics, General Surgery, and Orthopedic Surgery. While completing his Pediatric residency in San Francisco, he met the love of his life and Pan American poster-girl Martha Housel, when he shamelessly pulled her medical chart to find her phone number. When she asked him if she had cancer, he replied, "no miss … this is a social call."

Bill and Martha relocated to Reno, Nevada where they raised their three children William Jr., Cynthia, and Thomas. In Reno, Bill joined a partnership with James Herz M.D. and Jack Seargant M.D. and the three physicians founded the prestigious Reno Orthopedic Clinic, where Bill performed the first total hip replacement in the State of Nevada. During his esteemed career, Bill also served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Orthopedics at Washoe Medical and Saint Mary's Hospital, was a Councilor from Nevada to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, served as President of the Leroy C. Abbot Orthopedic Society, was a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and was a member of the American Orthopedic Association, the American Medical Association, the Western Orthopedic Association, the Nevada State Medical Society, the Washoe County Medical Society and the Reno Surgical Society.

In his retirement he dedicated himself to his "five-cent back swing" and spoiling his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed making his own golf clubs, hitting the links at Hidden Valley, Thunderbird Country and numerous other country clubs in the Palm Desert. He also served as President to the Incline Village Golf Club from 1997 through 1999.

Bill was a man that worked at being the best and giving his best to his patients and to his family. He was a man of integrity and dedication. He is remembered not only for his outstanding achievements as an orthopedic surgeon, but as a father, a gramps, a loving husband, and a fun-loving friend. On February 16, 2015, our "real cowboy" peacefully "saddled up, and headed for the "Big Teepee." He will be missed and is deeply loved. Bill is survived by his wife Martha, his son Tom, his loving family, and a multitude of friends.

In lieu of flowers, Bill would prefer that you reach out and help someone young who is truly in need. He did that often himself. Services will be held in June. The date will be announced in a future edition of the Reno Gazette Journal.