Charles Phillip "Phil" Daspit M.D.

1943 - 2022

Charles Phillip "Phil" Daspit, M.D. was born in New Orleans on September 5, 1943, and passed away on March 26th, 2022. Phil grew up in the historic south Louisiana town of Franklin, spending his childhood exploring the sugarcane fields and swamps along the Bayou Teche. His lifelong love of steam locomotives was established early by the proximity of his family's home to the main train line through town. He also discovered the nearby Belleview golf course at the age of 14, showing early mastery of the sport and sparking a lasting passion for the game. Phil was an academic standout and loved learning. Through the mentorship of Christian Brother Leo Gilsdorf, he and his best friends and team-mates on the Hanson Memorial High School's debate team won the state championship in 1961. He remained close to his Franklin pals - Frank, Jack, Ed, Ray, and Eddie Guy - his entire life. Phil was the son of a doctor and nurse, and from an early age he knew he wanted to study medicine. His friend Ray's father Dr. J.M. Fernandez encouraged him to become a surgeon and let him observe and assist with procedures while still in high school. Phil attended Louisiana State University for his undergraduate studies, graduating a year early and going on to Medical School at LSU in New Orleans. While at LSU he was a member of the ATO fraternity, where he solidified his friendship with his fellow fraternity brothers from Franklin and forged new friendships with many others. Through the ensuing years he remained a loyal fan of the LSU Tigers and returned to campus for many football games. He married fellow classmate Sharon Goodwin while in medical school, and this first marriage resulted in four children. After his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1969 under the Berry Plan, and received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. After being stationed at Moffett Field Naval Air Station in Mountain View, CA, he was deployed as a flight surgeon with Patrol Squadron VP-19 from 1969-1972, serving overseas at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and Naval Air Station Cubi Point in the Philippines, flying patrols in P-3C Orion sub-hunter aircraft. He continued in the active reserve assigned to Patrol Squadron VP-91 out of Moffett, retiring as a Captain in 1999. Phil took deep pride in his service to his country, and he established great lifetime friendships during his time in the Navy. Phil completed residencies in General Surgery and Otolaryngology in 1977 at the University of California San Fransisco. He then completed a fellowship in Otology-Neurotology at The House Institute in 1978 in Los Angeles. Phil married Diane Churchill in 1979, relocated to Phoenix, AZ with her two daughters, and together built his practice in Otology and Neurotology. He was affiliated with the Barrow Neurologic Institute, Saint Joseph's Medical Center, and Phoenix Children's Hospital. He was a pioneer in the field of Neurotology, and incorporated into his practice the most advanced techniques like CyberKnife and Gamma Knife radiosurgery. He established himself as a consummately skilled skull base surgeon, regularly performing complex otological and neurological surgeries alongside his neurosurgeon colleagues. He was the first otologist in Arizona to perform cochlear implant surgery, and through this procedure he helped to restore hearing for many deaf patients. He achieved many honors and esteemed positions in his career, always seeking to serve his profession and those he worked with every day. He was a member of the American Otological Society, serving the AOS Council as the Editor-Librarian for 5 years and then as President in 2011. He was a Fellow of the American Neurotology Society for almost 50 years, inducted in 1973. Dr. Daspit was a Fellow and served as the Western Section Vice President of The Triological Society in 2004 as well as on several program committees for this prestigious organization. Other memberships Phil was very proud of were the American College of Surgeons, the Otosclerosis Study Group and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. He served for over 20 years as Chair of the St. Joseph's-Barrow Neurological Institute IRB overseeing ongoing human research studies in cancer, cardiology, transplant surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, infectious diseases, and nursing quality improvement. Phil published more than 20 scientific papers over his career, and retired in 2010. Phil loved travel and new experiences and sharing them with family and friends. He was an avid oenophile, and started collecting California vintages with his Navy pilot friend Don. His love of fine food led him to seek out meals at the best restaurants which he recalled with fondness and great detail. He loved golf, trains, Cajun cuisine, Tabasco sauce, and spending time at his second home in Santa Fe. His friends and family knew him as smart, generous, and the person who brought people together to enjoy experiences and great company. Phil had a vast and detailed memory and could describe long-ago events as if they were yesterday. His family and roots were important to him, and he was a font of knowledge about his extended relatives as well as his friend's families. Phil loved his pets, a long and cherished procession of cats, Great Danes and Poodles. Phil will be remembered as a kind and caring person; a humanistic physician who cared deeply for his patients and improving their lives; a highly respected mentor, colleague and friend to those he worked with; and an admired father and brother. His ultimate happiness came from his devoted and loving relationship with Diane, his wife and companion of 42 years. Phil was preceded in death by his parents Hallie "Jo" and Dr. Dudley "D.J." Daspit, his sister Cathy Daspit, and daughter Laura Daspit. He is survived by his wife Diane Daspit, brother Michael (Peggy) Daspit, daughter Shannon McDuffie, sons Clayton (Laura Coyle) Daspit and Corey (Marisa) Daspit, stepdaughters Chris Churchill and Jennifer Gabor, his niece Bridget (David) Daspit Pittman and nephew Scott (Audra) Daspit. His seven grandchildren will greatly miss their grandfather. To honor his wishes his remains will be cremated and interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, where he will receive military funeral honors. Phil's family expresses the deepest gratitude to his doctors and the nurses and professional caregivers who treated him throughout with kindness and concern.