Joseph Bullock

Joseph Bullock
January 5, 2022
Columbus, Ohio - Joseph Daniel Bullock, MD passed away peacefully on January 5, 2022, from advanced stage adenocarcinoma. He was a resident of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. He is survived by his wife Martha Ann Foss Bullock "Martie," younger daughter Sarah Harrison Bullock "Sally" of Cincinnati, Ohio, older daughter Dr. Jennifer Zane Bullock "Jennie," son-in-law Dr. Nicholas Zumberge, grandsons William and Mitchell Zumberge of Columbus, Ohio, and brother Dr. John Bullock (wife Gretchen) of Long Boat Key, Florida. He had a 45 year career as an Allergist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Bullock will be missed by friends, former co-workers, and patients whom he loved dearly. His family sincerely appreciates the outpouring of kind sentiments that have already been expressed by Dr. Bullock's former patients. Dr. Bullock was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Emilie Woide Bullock, an English teacher, and Joseph Craven Bullock, a federal attorney. He attended Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and Pick and Pen honorary fraternity. Joe and Martie met at Wittenberg and were married two years later. They cherished their time at Wittenberg, were great supporters of their alma mater, and organized and hosted many reunion get-togethers and fundraising activities to support the University. In his studies at Wittenberg, Joe enjoyed organic chemistry, philosophy, and biology which led him to attend medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1967. He remained a loyal alumnus of Ohio State and helped to keep his graduating medical school class connected over the years through organizing many class reunion activities. He was naturally drawn to pediatrics and completed his general pediatrics internship and residency at Nationwide Children's Hospital in 1969. He served as a physician in the United States Air Force. He accepted a fellowship granted by the National Institutes of Health in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. He completed this Allergy and Immunology training in 1971 and moved to Columbus to open an Allergy practice with Charles Miller called Miller and Bullock Allergy, which later became known as Midwest Allergy. Dr. Bullock practiced Allergy and Immunology for 45 years, from 1971 through 2016. His daughter, Dr. Jennifer Bullock, joined him in practice in 2006, and they enjoyed practicing Allergy together for 10 years until his retirement. He cherished the time that they spent together in caring for patients, and he always felt it very fulfilling that he was able to pass his years of allergy experience and knowledge on to his daughter. He also volunteered one day a week in the Allergy clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital for much of his career. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and he served as the President of the Ohio Allergy Society. Dr. Bullock was fascinated by the study of medicine. He was committed to a lifetime of learning and continuing education in Allergy and Immunology. He read both the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Annals of Allergy from cover to cover every month until just one month before his death. In his Allergy practice, he mentored first year medical students from The Ohio State University with a focus on teaching them how to listen to and interview a patient and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. He enjoyed having local Family Practice residents rotate with him in the office to learn more about Allergy and Immunology, an experience which fostered many collaborative friendships with other Columbus area physicians, a community of physicians, which he felt always improved patient care. If Dr. Bullock were concerned about a patient, he would immediately pick up the phone to call the primary care provider to discuss his concerns and to help coordinate care. He had a few important words of wisdom that he shared with the students whom he trained over the years: "Children are NOT little adults," and "when you hear hoofbeats, don't think just of horses, think of zebras," and "only if you listen very carefully to the patient and take the time to get to know them, will you be able to help to find out what ails them." Joe was so grateful for the kidney transplant that he received in 2008. This gift of life gave him a renewed zest for life, and allowed him to "pay it forward" to practice medicine for another 8 years. Dr. Bullock felt honored to have the privilege to meet so many people every day, and to help them find answers and solutions for their medical problems. He treated his patients and staff members as family, and he wanted them to know that he loved them dearly and missed them during his retirement. Joe's friends always commented that he was a "renaissance man." An avid reader, he was a life-long student in many areas of interest, and his collection of books includes countless biographies, and books of United States history, golf architecture, golf history, English antiquities, flora, clocks, music, and subjects so diverse, he seemed at times to be a walking encyclopedia! He loved to watch Jeopardy every night. What started in his Allergy fellowship as seasonal "pollen hunts," expeditions in identification of pollen, trees, grasses and weeds, blossomed into a love for gardening and a deep appreciation for everything green on earth. He was a member of Chamber Music Columbus and The Crichton Club. He was an inspiration to those around him to keep learning and to keep practicing to be better. Joe loved everything golf. He practiced it diligently and was known for his stealthy short game. He was at one time a "scratch" golfer and was ecstatic to "shoot his age" at the age of 78. He enjoyed sharing his love of golf with others, and spent countless hours teaching and enjoying golf with his wife, daughters, son-in-law and grandsons. He was a board member of The First Tee of Columbus which works to empower children through the game of golf. He was a member of The Golf Club in New Albany, Ohio, and Indian Creek Country Club of Indian Creek Island, Florida. His love for golf offered him the opportunity to make lifelong friendships all around the world. Joe and Martie fell in love with the Miami area in the 1980's. In 1986, they found their home at Indian Creek Country Club and the Surf Club, where they have enjoyed many friendships. At the closing of the Surf Club they were welcomed to the cabanas at the Sea View Hotel. Joe was a friendly, lighthearted, very generous man with a booming voice, and a fabulous sense of humor. His gregarious personality would light up any room, making everyone feel included. He cherished his family, friends, staff members, colleagues and patients. He embraced his friends. He learned from everyone whom he met. Joe's family was his pride and joy, and he was always so supportive of his daughters and wife in all of their endeavors. Joe Bullock's family would like to thank Dr. Marc A. Saltzman for the excellent medical care that he provided to Dr. Bullock in Florida. Joe requested that his memorial service is postponed due to the current COIVD pandemic. A formal memorial service will be held in the late Spring, 2022. In lieu of flowers, Joe requested that donations are made to the Joseph C. Bullock endowed scholarship at Wittenberg University. Donations may be made by a check written to Wittenberg University with "Joseph C. Bullock Scholarship" on the memo line, and sent to Wittenberg University, P.O. Box 720, Springfield, Ohio 45501. This scholarship was created in honor of Joe's father and 6 other members of the Bullock family who were graduates of Wittenberg University. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN.