Dr Curtis V Spear Jr.

Norfolk - Curtis Varnell Spear Jr., M.D. passed away at Sentara Hospice House, in Virginia Beach on April 7, 2016, after a three year, tenacious battle against esophageal cancer. The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care and profound kindness he and the family received from his oncologist, Dr. Alberico, and everyone at Virginia Oncology Associates, and in his final weeks from the many nurses and doctors of Virginia Beach General and Hospice House.

Family was present with "Dad" the morning he quickly accelerated towards a peaceful passing. When we returned from a short briefing from his nurse named Grace! we found that he had "slipped out quietly". The hospice chaplain joined us moments later at his bedside and read to us a meditation that she, unaware to us, had read to Dad the day before. (It spoke of an incarnate God the Father calling out and searching for a child returning to Him. At the end, it asked the hospice patient for an answer to those calls from the Father. The chaplain told us that he had whispered "yes" in reply.) ... Later, several hours after Dad died, a litany of Tibetan Buddhist bardo (in-between state) prayers were offered to help him transition by a local Buddhist leader, who auspiciously showed up unexpectedly, just before Dad was about to be moved from his deathbed and Hospice House.

A short Buddhist ceremony to help Curtis was also held at the Mindfulness Community of Hampton Roads on April 17th. There was then an interfaith service at H.D. Oliver to further help him when he was cremated on April 19th. (For details go first to the link at end of this notice.)

Curtis was born and grew up in Columbus, Georgia on July 21, 1931. He put himself through and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1952, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors fraternity. Curtis then went to medical school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he met the love of his life, Pattie Marie Loftin, marrying her a few months before graduation there in 1956. He served in the Inactive Reserve, USN from 1953-1960. He completed an orthopaedic residency at the University of Virginia in 1961. While there Curtis began raising a family - on his $50 monthly stipend! At UVA he also became a fan of the Virginia Cavaliers, and discovered an interest in, and many affinities with, Thomas Jefferson. Like Jefferson, he outgrew a small Christianity, nearly worshiped reason and science, celebrated education, and loved to tinker, invent and explore.

Dr. Spear began his 35 year orthopaedic practice in Norfolk in July, 1961, joining the George Duncan, George Hollins, and John Thiemeyer group, later known as Orthopaedic Associates of Virginia. He served as Chief, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Center Hospital; Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, EVMS; Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Director, Orthopaedic Residency Program, both at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine. He served also President of the Hampton Roads Orthopaedic Society, and President of the Virginia Orthopaedic Society. He retired as the senior partner of Orthopaedic Associates of Virginia in 1996, appreciated by his colleagues for his steadiness and diplomacy. Dr. Spear had a reputation as a quick, decisive, and excellent surgeon, was loved by his patients for his attention and kindness, and many an injured neighborhood child saw him first in his home's study. He even once "set" his son Carl's obviously broken arm, to everyone's horror and relief, right there on the athletic field!

He also was team physician for the Virginia Red Wings hockey team in the 1970's. His young sons happily benefited from this position: we got box seats right next to the boards near the goals, had the opportunity to meet players, and got hockey stuff. (We still have some sticks!) As team doctor, Dad tended to wounds and stitched the players up in the locker room, often without using any numbing agents, at their request, because they were so intent on getting back in the game. And occasionally, our Dad had to ceremoniously shuffle out on the ice to help fallen players, leaving behind his proudly beaming young boys, who tried but failed to be inconspicuous, for all the stadium to observe in those prominent box seats. Oh, Dad was great! Oh, we loved him! Oh, we didn't sense then his stature as a physician! Oh, we fail to grasp it even now!

Curtis and Pat loved life together and were also well traveled, visiting England, France, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, and the Caribbean. Curtis respected all the cultures, religions, and peoples he encountered. He found delight in the details of his travels and loved having new adventures with his loved ones. He had many passions over the years: reading (always), skiing, genealogy, watches and clocks, gardening, hiking, boating, golf, tennis, and walking. Curtis loved, and then missed the men he played tennis with for decades, until his decline.

Dad mowed his own grass till he was diagnosed with cancer at age 81 - for the exercise, to set an example of frugality for his four sons, but mostly because he liked being frugal. Sixteen months before he died, during a brief remission, he went against character and shocked everyone who knew him by indulging himself and buying a new Corvette ... which he then conservatively drove, aiming to get the most miles per gallon. The sons will surely give him (his ashes), at last, some proper scary Corvette rides, and will debate giving (some of) him a permanent place hidden in the car, if it is sold. His wife Pat, 83, will be the official owner of the Corvette till then. Please pray for the Corvette!

Curtis loved and lived life fully and broadly, and modeled that for his family and friends. Of all his many roles and experiences, he first and most valued being "Dad" for his family. We so miss him! He faced cancer and a shortened life bravely and strongly, but did not plan to go as soon as he did. Dad had just opened up the Sandbridge beach cottage for the spring season for his family when his health started to fail. Dad was looking forward to more of his greatest happiness: being loving patriarch at Sandbridge for Pat, his sons, and dear daughter-in-law ... but especially playing "Papa" there to his two grandchildren. Oh, Madison and Harrison brought Papa such joy and made him so proud!

Curtis is preceded in death by his mother, Rosa Marion McElroy, and his father, Curtis Varnell Spear Sr. of Columbus Ga. He is survived by his wife, Pat; his four sons, Curtis III, Edward, Louis, and Carl (Lisa) and his two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison all local; his younger siblings, Edward Spear (Marilyn), Judy Vaughn (Paul), Louis Spear (Angela) all of Georgia; Pat's brother Carl Loftin of Asheville; many nieces and nephews; the Monroe family, Carl's in-laws, also local, with whom we celebrated most holidays for over 20 years; and Brenda Griffin, intimate family friend.

Of special note: The last time Curtis and Pat were together or spoke was the very day of their 60th wedding anniversary, days before he passed. Please pray for her. She has had a hard time these last three months since losing him, hence the belated notice and service. Her four boys could use a few prayers too.

A memorial service to honor the life of Curtis Spear will be held at 11:30AM on Saturday, July 9 at Larchmont United Methodist Church in Norfolk. Rev. Scott Rimer and Rev. Randall Timmerman will officiate. The family will receive friends at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to be generous to someone in need. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hdoliver.com.