Dr. Philip Hall Clinton

1917 - 2022

Dr. Philip Hall Clinton

Dr. Philip Hall Clinton, 105, was born February 13, 1917 in Saginaw, Michigan to Ellen (Medalie) Clinkston and Benjamin Franklin Clinkston, the oldest of four children. Philip had a very strong love of the outdoors and from an early age enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping, and took pride in providing fish and game for family meals. Philip continued to walk several miles most days.


Philip graduated in 1942 from the University of Michigan with a degree in Science, and was inducted into military service in 1942, serving as a lab technician at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC during World War II. Encouraged by doctors Philip worked with at Walter Reed, he pursued a medical degree from George Washington


University, graduating in 1952. After an internship at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA, he worked from 1954-1976 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Vallejo, CA, taking a 3 year leave of absence to treat South Vietnamese civilian families during the Vietnam War. This led to a strong affinity with Asian culture and anumber of return visits.


In 1976 Philip purchased a beautiful piece of property in the hillside community of Surrey Village outside Red Bluff, CA surrounded by oak trees and wildlife that he loved. Philip kept his medical license in California active for 63 years from 1953-2016. After retiring from Kaiser Permanente he continued practicing medicine informally as a contribution to the Red Bluff community, developing many lasting friendships.


Philip is predeceased by younger siblings Norman Clinkston and Elayne Bloom. He is survived by his brother Bertram Clinkston, 100 years old and living in Seattle, his two adopted daughters Kimy Urwin and Teresa Zalcman, nieces and nephews, and dedicated Red Bluff friends David and Rebecca Whatley.


All are welcome to attend military honors and burial on August 1, 2022 at 2:00pm at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery at Igo, CA.