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Alfred Cordell Obituary

Dr. Alfred Robert Cordell
WINSTON-SALEM -- Dr. Cordell, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Union, SC on October 16, 1924 to Carl Eugene and Ann Louise Elsmore Cordell.
He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1944 and attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for one year, later receiving his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1947. He remained at Johns Hopkins doing an internship in surgery from 1947-48. He did his assistant residency in surgery at the Yale V.A. Surgical Services from 1948-50. Dr. Cordell began his training in thoracic surgery in 1950 at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine/North Carolina Baptist Hospital. His training was interrupted for a tour of duty in the Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve as a surgeon serving in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH Unit) in Korea from January to August 1951; then serving as Chief, Dependent's Surgical Service, Portsmouth Naval Hospital from August 1951 to November 1952. He returned to Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1952 where he completed his training in general and thoracic surgery in 1956. From 1956-57 he was Visiting Instructor, Department of Surgery and Participant Project in Medical Education, University of Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Cordell returned to Bowman Gray in 1957 as an Instructor and Director of Surgical Research.
He was promoted to Assistant Professor of Surgery in 1961, Associate Professor in 1965 and Professor in 1970. In 1979, he was named the Howard Holt Bradshaw Professor of Surgery and Chairman, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery serving in that role until 1991. During that time he became one of the premier figures in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. He was an outstanding mentor and role model to his students, residents and colleagues. He was best known for developing techniques in myocardial preservation, blood conservation and establishing a pre-eminent open heart program. In September 1995 he was elevated to Professor Emeritus at which time the A. Robert Cordell Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery was established in his honor. He remained very active in departmental and medical center activities until his death and was the recipient of the Dean's Division Award in 2004.
Dr. Cordell served as president of the North Carolina Heart Association 1966-67, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association 1971-72, Southern Association for Vascular Surgery 1983-84, North Carolina Chapter, American College of Surgeons 2000-01, and North Carolina Stroke Association 2001-02. He was a member of the American Surgical Association, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Surgeons serving on the Board of Governors 1983-89, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Surgical Association, Southeastern Surgical Congress and International Cardiovascular Societe. In addition, he was very involved in community activities serving on the Board of Directors of the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, and the Twin City Club. He was a member of the Winston-Salem Downtown Rotary Club and The Old Town Club. He cherished his time with his family and many loyal and loving friends, and was an avid fan and supporter of the Wake Forest Athletic Programs.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, DeWitt Cromer Cordell and son, Franklin Cromer Cordell.
He is survived by three sons, Alfred Robert Cordell Jr. and wife, Sherri, Mark Bynum Cordell and wife, Ann of Winston-Salem, and Carl DeWitt Cordell and wife, Annie of Charlotte, NC; his beloved grandchildren, Mark Bynum Cordell Jr., Carl DeWitt Cordell Jr., Samuel Rash Cordell, and Elele Grace Cordell; a brother, Edward Maurice Cordell and wife, Jo Ann, of Union, SC; and a niece, Tina Cordell of Melbourne, Australia; a sister-in-law, Mary Anne Stone, three nieces, Marian, Ellen and Carolyn; four grandnieces and nephew of Durham, NC.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at Centenary United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Brown and Reverend Jack Yarbrough officiating. A graveside service will follow at Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the home, 349 Arbor Road, Winston-Salem, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Office of Development of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for the A. Robert Cordell Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021; Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 W. 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or to a charity of the donor's choice. The Cordell family wishes to express their gratitude to the faculty and staff at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, their friends and loved ones for their thoughtfulness and acts of kindness. Salem Funeral and Cremation Service of Winston-Salem is assisting the Cordell Family. Published in the Charlotte Observer on 4/13/2008.

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Published by Charlotte Observer from Apr. 12 to Apr. 13, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Cordell

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Creighton Wright

April 17, 2008

Dear Cordell family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob was a friend for many years, and Carolyn and I always enjoyed seeing him at meetings and catching up on family and colleagues in Winston Salem, and Clemmons.
He was always a delight to be with and we will miss him. Our best to you all.
Creighton and Carolyn Wright,Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgeons Inc., Cincinnati

Ken Blanton

April 15, 2008

Rob, Dee, Mark: I worked with your Dad for 15 years and loved and respected him greatly. What a wonderful legacy he leaves for all of us to emulate.

Andrea Bartruff

April 15, 2008

Rob, Dee, and Mark,

I am very sorry to hear of your Dads passing. My thought and prayers are with you and your families.

Sherri Willard

April 14, 2008

Dear Family,
Dr. Cordell was the doctor every doctor wished they could be. He was a gentleman and always spoke to you when meeting you in the hallways. I will miss his sweet smile.

Helena T. Kennedy

April 14, 2008

I am truly sorry to hear of your loss.

Dr.Cordell was so special to so many people. He will truly be missed.

May the love of God bring you all peace during this most difficult time.

Helena T. Kennedy

Russ Armistead

April 14, 2008

Bob was a dear friend who I enjoyed having lunch with many times at the "lunch bunch". My thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.

LaShawn Momi

April 13, 2008

I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Cordell helped many people during his lifetime. He will be missed by all. May Jehovah comfort you and help you to endure the days ahead.

Brian Canning

April 13, 2008

Mark,
Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with you and your family. We are sorry for your loss.
Best wishes,
Brian and Meredith Canning

Thomas and Tina Messick

April 12, 2008

Mark,
We are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ed and Lisa Puckett

April 12, 2008

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Cordell family. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

David Hepler

April 12, 2008

My deepest condolences go out to the Cordell family for your loss.Dr. Cordell performed major heart surgery on me in 1961,I was 5yrs. old.My family and I will never the kindness and professionalism Dr. Cordell showed to us.This great man will surely be missed.

Kaaren (Kaufholz) Stuart

April 12, 2008

Mark and Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Marva Bennett

April 12, 2008

Always in my prayers and my God bless your family in your time of need.

(Heart Patient in 1974)

Chic Huber

April 12, 2008

I was saddened to read of your father's passing. My thoughts are with you all.

Rick and Elizabeth Zollinger

April 12, 2008

To the family. I want to offer our love. Dr. Bob as I knew him was the end of an era! I have been in the same field as he and he was a leader among men and women and a person who always made all feel special! I loved him like my own Dad and will miss him always !

Jill Runnion

April 11, 2008

Dear Rob, Dee and Mark,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. He will always hold a special place in my heart. He operated on my Dad 21 years ago and gave him 18 more years of life. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lara Lockwood

April 11, 2008

I would like to express my sincere condolences in the passing of your father. Dr. Cordell was a true southern gentlemen. I had the honor to work with him and Dr. Hudspeth in "A" unit on 4 floor Reynolds tower. He was kind and gentle to his patients, families and staff. I have known him since I started working at Baptist in Sept 1977 in the Respiratory Care Department. We have lost a GREAT man.

Sherry Raiford

April 11, 2008

I am sadden by the news of Dr. Cordell's passing. He was a great doctor and person. He will be missed here at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He would always speak to you in the hallways. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family.

Jonnie Jones

April 11, 2008

Family of Alfred Robert Cordell As a person whose lost someone in death more than I could count, God's word holds out the blessings of a resurrection of your dead loved one whom you will be able to embrace again.John5;28,29 gives us assurance

Drew Mills

April 11, 2008

De and family, my sincere sympathy on the loss of your dad. We are thinking of you.

Drew Mills and family.

Jon Cherney

April 11, 2008

The entire Cherney family, from Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Maryland, is saddened to hear about Dr. Cordell's passing. We know he was a highly respected man in the medical community and a wonderful father and grandfather who provided great inspiration and love to his family and friends. Dr. Cordell's class, dignity and intelligence will be the standard we shall all hope to achieve in our respective life's journey.

We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the entire Cordell family.

From the Cherney family--Jon, Julie and daughter Noa; mother Audrey, Keith and Jimmy.

The Herman Family

April 11, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,

Zan Tyson

April 11, 2008

We want to express our sympathy to Dr. Cordell's family. His contributions to cardiovascular medicine and care in the Triad will be greatly missed.

Zan Tyson, MD and Pam Tyson, RN

Rusty Doggett

April 11, 2008

I cried when I heard the news. The good Doctor was a big part of my childhood, and always made me feel special with his elegant sense of humor. He always called me "YOUNG man", even when I was 4 years old!

Rob, De and Mark you are blessed with the wonderful memories of a great man, a proud father, and just a great guy to hang out with at the beach.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Hilary Kosloske

April 11, 2008

Rob,
I am so sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. He will be missed greatly in the community. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Tim and Sandy Mann

April 11, 2008

Rob,
Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with you and your family. Your dad's accomplishments and values are reflected in the pride you have when you speak of him.

Bobby Byrd

April 11, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dawn Belton

April 11, 2008

I would like to express my sincere condolences in the passing of your father. You will not know me, but I was secretary for Dr. Henry Miller for 30 years and am still here in Cardiology. Dr. Cordell was one of our last true southern gentlemen, and I will miss his smiling face in the hall and his always pleasant "Hello, Dear".

Paul and Susan Armstrong

April 11, 2008

Dear Cordell's,
What a shock to us losing our dear friend. We enjoyed sitting on the pew with the "Doctor" for years at Centenary... As with you, it will not be the same without him. But, oh what a memory and legacy he leaves. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with you..
Paul and Susan Armstrong

Judson Davis

April 11, 2008

As Dr. Cordell attended the Board of Governors meeting at the Twin City Club Tuesday night and then left for the opera, it goes without saying that we were shocked to hear of his death. Dr. Cordell's love for and interest in the future of the Twin City Club is an inspiration to all the club members. We will miss his wisdom and support. He was always the gracious gentleman.
Lois and Judson Davis
Board of Governors
Twin City Club

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