David Stamper Nightingale MD

David Stamper Nightingale, MD passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 28, 2024, from leukemia. He was 92 years young. Born in Louisville the youngest of three energetic boys, Dave lived first in Jacksonville Beach and then Neptune Beach, Florida, where he honed his competitive skills while trying to keep up with his big brothers. Ties to family in Kentucky, both Campton and Louisville, brought the family back to Louisville. Dave attended Emmett Elementary, Melbourne Heights, Highland Jr. High and Male High School. He was in constant motion in his early years and had several jobs including newspaper delivery, grain shoveling, chicken delivery, and Ballard/Kraft Foods roving route delivery. He developed his leadership skills in social clubs, Castlewood and Delphic. Somewhere between the track meets, school, choirs, parties, jobs and time with family, he decided on medicine as a career. He focused intently on his goal, and even negotiated to substitute his last year of college at the University of Kentucky, as a Phi Beta Kappa, with his first year of medical school at the University of Louisville. David distinguished himself by graduating first in his class, as an Alpha Omega Alpha, and was accepted into a medical internship and residency program at the University of Pennsylvania. David married the lovely Wellesley College and Vanderbilt University graduate, Patricia Markham and began his strenuous medical training. He completed an internship year, a year of medicine and then four years in general and thoracic surgery at UPenn. David's hard work and academic excellence led to a position overseeing residents at Allegheny Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. After a very cold and snowy year, an opportunity to join a surgical group in Charlotte, NC seemed rather appealing. David spent four years in a successful private practice in Charlotte. Always eager to learn more, he next moved his growing family to the University of Florida for cardiovascular and heart surgery training and learned some of the latest innovations in valve replacement, transplants and heart repair. Two years later, due to family events and a recognized opportunity, David moved once again with his young family back to Louisville and started a practice where he employed the newest techniques. Thus, he began a nearly 30-year career in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Dr. David was an integral part of the advancement and training of cutting-edge methods in thoracic and vascular surgery. As at UPenn and UFlorida, he held teaching positions at ULouisville and was board certified in Surgery and Thoracic surgery. He was a member, and frequently on the executive board, of multiple surgical and medical societies. He had surgical privileges at every hospital in the community. Dr. David was President of the Norton Medical Staff in 1982 and served on the advisory board. He was Chief of Surgery at Baptist Hospital,1984, and Chief of Surgery at Norton Hospital,1985-1987. From 1983-1990, he was Director (and one of the founders) of the Non-Invasive Vascular Lab at Norton. He took on partners. He published in medical journals throughout his career. Known for his surgical and diagnostic skills, as well as his compassionate care, he helped train a new generation of surgeons, and he saved lives. Upon his retirement, David experienced a personal renaissance. He became an avid reader and student of literature, philosophy and the arts. He started running again, winning competitions for his age group in his 70s. He sought out others with similar passions, met interesting people and made life-long friendships. He had a thirst for knowledge and a wanderlust for adventure: skydiving, fox hunting, steeplechasing, cooking lessons, hiking and traveling to new places to meet new people. New York City was a favorite. He nearly got stuck on a frozen Walden Pond. He wore out many shoes walking and talking at Tom Sawyer Park. He rode horses in Ireland. He visited Dollywood with a best bud. He knew local coffee baristas by name. David seized the day and epitomized the maxim, "Not all who wander are lost." David had a knack for recalling facts on a variety of subjects including the arts, medicine, sports, music, and world politics. He was naturally curious about people and always remembered the details that friends and family shared. Still, he never stopped being a physician extraordinaire, especially for his family and friends in need. He lived a long, full, and very healthy life, and we will miss him. The son of Olivia and George Nightingale, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patricia Markham Nightingale, daughter Tristan Nightingale Bateman (William), son Austin Nightingale, daughter Leslie Nightingale Kral (Gerald), grandchildren Laura Bateman Madden-Fuentes (Joe), Anne Bateman (Steve Helms), Mary Kral and James Kral, and three great grandchildren: Emma Helms, Aiden Madden-Fuentes and Ainsley Madden-Fuentes, as well as many beloved nieces and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and their wives, George Jr. and Billie Jean Nightingale, and Joel and Betty Nightingale, and a son, David Stamper Nightingale, Jr. To all his many "hiking" buddies and friends of all ages (you know who you are): we will forever be grateful for the richness you brought to his life. Thank you also to the staff at Hosparus Health and Premier Caregiver Services. Your skills and kindness allowed us to have Dad at home. A private family burial was held on May 1. A celebration of life service will be held at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY on June 21 at 11am. Visitation will follow with family and friends at the church. Expressions of sympathy can be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society the American Red Cross Blood Donation Services or by collecting friends to take a walk and share stories, including those you may have heard before.Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's, "Where Louisville Goes to Remember".Read Obituary