James PHIPPS M.D.

PHIPPS, M.D., James Passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Saturday, December 6th at his home in Bodega, CA surrounded by his family. Dr. Phipps (Jim) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Frank and Lucille Phipps. He spent his early years growing up in Garrettsville, Ohio and Cleveland, Ohio with many extended family nearby. Jim graduated from Cleveland's "original" East High School in 1937 and worked in Cleveland's Main Library and as a machinist for a few years. He attended Western Reserve University and John Carroll University (Class of 1943). In fall 1943 he began medical school as a Navy Midshipmen (as required during World War II) at St. Louis School of Medicine. After completing his medical studies in 1947, he worked as a general practitioner at the Frisco Railroad Dispensary and as a house physician at the United States Public Health Service. He later completed his residency in orthopedics at St. Louis University Hospitals. Dr. Phipps began work as an orthopedic surgeon at the Public Health Service on Staten Island, New York just as the Korean War began in 1950. He and his family were later transferred to Baltimore and then again to San Francisco where he finally settled with his family. In San Francisco Dr. Phipps worked as an orthopedic surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital and at Southern Pacific Hospital and again at Public Health Services Hospital as head of Orthopedic Surgery. In 1974 he and his wife built a home in Bodega and settled there upon his retirement in 1985. Together they volunteered as Master Gardeners at the Sonoma Humane Society Garden Project, as project coordinators providing support for at-risk children. James is survived by Theresa, his wife of 70 years, his children, Paul, Tom and his wife Laurie, Dan and his wife Elein, and Ned and his wife Joanne. James was a lifetime learner and believed in education, hard work and family. He was the proud grandpa of 13 grand children and one great grandchild. He will be greatly missed. There will be a private memorial gathering in January 2015.