Dr. William H. Pitts

1923 - 08

William Harrison "Doc" Pitts, M.D., 91, of Kittanning, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, at his residence. He was born to Edna Mae (Cummings) and Levi Harrison Pitts. Part of the Greatest Generation, William was born Aug. 2, 1923, in Mt Jackson. As a teenager, he and his mother cared for an uncle who had terminal cancer. This uncle had a farm and upon this uncle's passing, the family left the farm to William in appreciation for the care he gave. William would eventually sell the farm as partial payment for his medical education. Along with farming, he worked as a grinder, a steel mill laborer and even shoveled dynamite prior to college. He studied at Geneva College for a year. He then entered into active service in the Navy during World War II as a pharmacist's mate second class. He was honorably discharged having received a Good Conduct Ribbon, an American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Metal. He returned to Geneva College for another year. Much to his surprise, he was accepted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine prior to his graduation from Geneva. One of his favorite memories of medical school was attending cutting-edge lectures in virology by Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine. He graduated in the Class of 1951 from the UPMS and immediately entered the profession as a general practitioner in Rural Valley. He retired in 1996, having served the community for 45 years. He was granted an honorary college degree by Geneva College in 2000. The day after his graduation, he said, "I was in the best profession there is. Here I was a little kid from Mt. Jackson. How lucky I was." He practiced old school medicine where he accepted patients in his home on an emergency basis and went on house calls - selflessly sacrificing his private life for the sake of his patients. It is unknown how many babies he delivered and it is speculated that it is in the thousands. At times he treated great-grandchildren of original patients. When asked about his style of practice, he said, "I talk to my patients. When there is no communication, things don't work." He never viewed medicine as a job. It was his lifestyle. He was married to Martha Jane (Smith) Pitts on June 2, 1951, and was happily married 55 years. He was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and deacon in the Rural Valley Presbyterian Church. Enjoying life to its fullest, he was a very active sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, golfing, breeding/training bird dogs and gardening. He will be remembered for his dedicated, compassionate style of medicine, as an avid sportsman and as a happy, patient, loving father and husband. He is survived by his loving children, Ronald, Phyllis and David. He was predeceased by his wife, Martha; son, Keith; and siblings, John, Louise, Donald, Harold and Eleanor. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the CARSON/BOYER FUNERAL HOME INC., Rural Valley. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the NuValley Presbyterian Church, Rural Valley, with the Rev. Bruce Shannon officiating. Burial will take place in Rural Valley Cemetery. http://www.carsonboyer.com.