John Newhall Wilson

Dr. John Newhall "Bud" Wilson

1925-2023





Bud Wilson passed away peacefully on Easter morning at the home in Corrales that he shared with his partner, Sally McGrath. A humble humanitarian, Bud never took himself too seriously, but nevertheless left an enormous legacy of good works and loving relationships - as a medical pioneer, heart surgeon, conservationist, educator, mentor, friend, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and life partner.

Born and raised in Chicago and surrounding area, Bud was 15 when he first visited San Cristobal, New Mexico, where he fell in love with the Land of Enchantment. Less than a decade later he began buying a ranch in Lama, NM, which was to become his lifelong refuge and eventual home. At 17, Bud joined the Marine Corps Reserves. Upon completion of pilot training and his service he attended Williams College and Northwestern Medical School. During a break from studies, Bud returned to San Cristobal to work for the Forest Service. There he met Barbara Means, who was attending Jennie Vincent's summer art school. Smitten, they married in 1949, and returned to San Cristobal on summer break from medical school, bringing the first group of teenagers from inner-city Chicago to share the work, camping and wildness of the land; experiences Bud enjoyed as a youth.

Bud completed his residency in cardiopulmonary/thoracic surgery at hospitals in Denver and in Malmo, Sweden. Early in his career as a surgeon, he pioneered treatments and techniques in surgical practice. Eager to share his expertise where most needed, in 1965 Bud accepted an invitation to fill in for a doctor in south India for 3 months. With 4 young children in tow, the family moved to Vellore (Tamil Nadu) where Bud taught and practiced surgery. There, he developed ground-breaking techniques using a patient's own tissue to construct valves and shunts necessary for heart surgery. Three months became 3 years, during the last of which the family moved to the village of Odanchetrum, where Bud with his friend and colleague, Dr. Jacob Cherian established the first rural heart surgery clinic in southern India.

Upon their return to the States in 1968 the family settled in Albuquerque, where Bud helped create the first heart program in New Mexico. He taught at the UNM medical school and helped found Surgical Associates, a group dedicated to cardiopulmonary/thoracic surgery.

"Uniquely dedicated" as a surgeon and compassionate care giver, Dr. Wilson was instrumental in drawing some of the finest qualified heart surgeons to the state of New Mexico, striving to always "hire somebody better than we are" as they expanded their practice. Bud was involved in the first heart transplant surgery in New Mexico with his group ultimately performing a total of 112 heart transplants and nearly 800 cardiac cases per year.

Whenever possible, Bud would retreat to Lama to hike and camp, raise some hay, tend his orchard, care for his horses, build a cabin and attend to his many conservation projects. To preserve the land for wildlife, agriculture, and open space, he placed the majority in conservation easements.

Dedicated to service and recognizing the potential inherent in children, Bud and Barb established the rugged Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch on the land in Lama, where 10 to 12 year olds could experience nature and work the land. His vision of the camp was to bring together children from diverse backgrounds from around the world, to work together and learn to live as a community. To make it truly accessible to all, there was never a charge to attend the camp. A camper from forty years ago wrote recently,

'I would not be who I am now without him and the opportunity I had to be part of that summer camp'

"Retiring" from practice in Albuquerque Bud and Barbara moved to Arroyo Seco and later Lama. Bud continued to share his knowledge and dedication to providing medical care at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos. Working into his 80's, on call, running rounds, and performing general surgery with his shoes still wet from his irrigating on Lama. The next day he might be climbing 12,000 ft. high mountains with a group of campers.

He spent the last few years of his life in Corrales, N.M. with Sally McGrath, raising tomatoes, walking the Bosque, and enjoying the company of family and his many, many friends. We will all miss you dearly Bud.

Bud was preceded in death by his daughter, Lenny and wife, Barbara. He is survived by his sons and their spouses; Chris and Sarah, Nat and Peggy, Ben and Amy; grandchildren Rachel and Bryan, Yoma and Issa, (their mother, Noriko), Perri and Miles; great-grandson Mason, nieces and nephews, and his loving partner, Sally and her family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch, Nature Conservancy, or Taos Land Trust.