Frederick N. Firestone M.D.

Dr. Frederick Norton Firestone was a proud, fourth-generation Californian, born to Dr. Frederick Firestone and Adrienne Norton Firestone on December 6, 1931. He was raised in San Francisco and graduated from Lowell High School. He was a proud Eagle Scout who loved the outdoors and enjoyed sailing, skiing and hiking. A lifelong learner, he was always curious about the world, and strove to build meaningful connections wherever he went. Medicine was his true calling. He earned an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences in 1953 and a Doctorate of Medicine in 1956 both from Stanford University. He was a thoracic, vascular, and general surgeon who trained in Boston at Harvard teaching hospitals. Dr. Firestone served his country as a Captain in the US Army, and was Chief Resident of the 97th General Army Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.Dr. Firestone had a long and distinguished career as a surgeon, practicing for twenty years at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, CA, and at Costa Mesa Memorial Hospital, where he served as Chief of Staff. He continued practicing surgery for FHP Healthcare in Huntington Beach and concluded his career as a surgeon in the Midwest.In addition to his passion for patient care, he was devoted to training and mentoring future generations of doctors, which he did for twenty-five years as a member of the Clinical Faculty of the University of California, Irvine. He was also committed to giving back to his local community. From 1972-1976, in conjunction with the Orange County Board of Supervisors, he led the design and implementation of the first Orange County Paramedic System. He also served as the President of the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the Orange County Surgical Society.While medicine and healing were his life's work, he was a true Renaissance man, well-read and passionate about the arts, music, history, local affairs, travel, wine and gourmet cooking. In retirement, he enjoyed an active life immersed in the arts in both Tulsa, Oklahoma and Pasadena, California. Dr. Firestone was a docent at the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Tulsa Ballet Theatre, and the Pasadena Heritage Society. The Firestones enjoyed local culture, playing bridge, travel and family visits.Dr. Firestone is survived by his wife, Mary Henson Firestone of Broken Arrow, OK, his three children, Julie Garlikov (Andy), Laurie Siedelman (David) and Dr. Daniel Firestone (Amanda), as well as seven grandchildren, his brother Richard Firestone, and his former wife, Anne Leipziger Firestone. He is also survived by Mary's son, Jeff Bright, and a granddaughter.In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to Boy Scout Troop 14, c/o Dr. Fred Firestone Memorial Fund, 132 10th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118.