Dr. John Henry Waite

On March 27, 2015, John H. Waite, MD, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family. John "Jack" Waite was born to Genevieve and Henry Chester Waite II on August 6, 1922, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. His childhood was spent in Yellow Springs, Ohio, with his brother and sister; Mary Caroline and William. Jack met his beloved wife and best friend, Jean Hutchinson, marrying in September of 1942. Jack attended Antioch College and subsequently obtained his medical degree from the University of Buffalo in 1947 and a Masters of surgery from Ohio State University in 1953. While pursuing his medical career with the U.S. Public Health Service, Jack was stationed in several areas of the country with Jean and their five children. They moved to New Orleans in 1961, finally settling in Baton Rouge in 1967. Jack was deeply committed to social justice, racial equality, and helping others. He was known in the medical community not only as a compassionate doctor but also as a gifted educator and Professor of Surgery at LSU. In his spare time, Jack reveled in spending time with his family, played a variety of musical instruments, and traveled the world with Jean. Jack also helped found the Baton Rouge Recorder Society. Up until the time of his death, Jack was an active and committed member of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge. Jack will be remembered as a nurturing, loving friend and family man with an insatiable desire for learning. His presence will be profoundly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Jack is survived by his sister, Mary Caroline Waite Nitschke. He will be remembered lovingly by his five children and their spouses: Barbara Waite-Jaques, Karen Waite, Henry "Bo" Waite III, David Waite and Lydia Vignes Waite, and Elaine Waite Piedra and Rudy Piedra. His memory will live on through his ten grandchildren: Aaron Lloyd and wife Lori, Louis Cefolia and wife Michelle, Genevieve Cefolia Horan, Jacob Cefolia and wife Kristi, Katherine Waite Wortman and husband Jeremy, Eli Waite, Sarah Waite Owens and husband Kyle, Camille Waite Beck and husband Kirk, Diana Piedra, and Daniel Piedra. Jack was also blessed with twenty great-grandchildren, and many, many friends who will miss him dearly. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Waite, his brother William Waite, and his son-in-law Dale Jaques. Memorial Service to be held at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge at a later date. Many thanks to Hospice Compassus for their caring assistance in fulfilling Dr. Waite's last needs. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in John H. Waite's memory to one of the following charities: Cancer Services of Baton Rouge; Safehaven Farms, By Mail: Safe Haven Farms, P.O. Box 633, Monroe, OH 45050. Via the Web: http://www.safehavenfarms.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=187; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; or Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, Attention: Stewardship, 8470 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806, Via the Web: http://www.peacestones.org/giving.