Philip Roland Van Horn

Philip Roland Van Horn, M.D. Died peacefully at his Piedmont home December 2, 2007. Born October 23, 1910 in Seattle, WA, the youngest of nine children of a prominent Congregational minister. After earning a B.S. from University of Washington, he graduated from Stanford Medical School in 1936, and completed postgraduate training in neurosurgery at UCSF. In WWII, he served as captain in the US Army Medical Corps at Walter Reed Hospital and Army Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL, a 6000 bed facility. As assistant chief, he provided neurological treatment for soldiers wounded in Europe. Dr. Van Horn returned to the Bay Area in 1946 and started a neurosurgical practice, serving several East Bay hospitals for 40 years. Committed to the care of his patients and the quality of his staff, he served as chief of staff at Providence Hospital. As an esteemed medical specialist, Dr. Van Horn was a member of the AMA, the Alameda/Contra Costa Medical Society, Congress of Neurological Surgery, and served as neurological consultant for county, state and federal agencies. Dr. Van Horn was preceded in death by his wife Norma and daughter, Sue Ellen Krebs. He is survived by his son Robert Van Horn (wife, Debra); daughter, Karen; and his close companion Joan Tornlof, all of Oakland. He was also a loving grandfather to Chris and Elizabeth Van Horn, Robert and Shirley Tatum, and two great-grandchildren. Family and friends will affectionately remember Dr. Phil's love of world travel, sailing and boating, and family entertaining at his Clear Lake home. He lived his life in excellent health and humor. He will be profoundly missed. Memorial contributions may be made to Clausen House, 88 Vernon St., Oakland, CA 94610, or to a charity of your choice.