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David Wooding Cahill M.D.

David Cahill Obituary

CAHILL, David Wooding, M.D., of Tampa, Florida, died tragically on Wednesday, July 2, 2003. David was born on September 18, 1951, in Danville, Va. Introduced to aviation by his father at an early age, it bec ame a passion that remained with him for life. Continuously excelling academically, he graduated as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia with a BA in 1973 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Comp leting medical school at UVA in 1976, Dr. Cahill pursued advanced Neurosurgical training at the University of Maryland where he was one of few to become board certified in both Neurology and Neurosurgery in 1983. Upon graduation, Dr. Cahill moved to Tampa to become Director of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of South Florida. He established a spine fellowship program, which was followed by a Neur osurgical Residency Training Program in 1994. By the time of his death, Dr. Cahill had trained over 20 neurosurgeons and fellows who continue in his footsteps today. Departmental status of Neurological Surgery was achieved in 2000 with Dr. Cahill nominated as Chairman after a national search. He achieved international acclaim as one of the world's greatest spine surgeons and brillia nt teachers. His work is recorded in more than 100 published articles and books. The tragedy of his loss is softened only by his legacy: the learning of his students, the miracles of his surgery, and the lov e of his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sandra; his two daughters, Erin and Laurin; and his son, Austin. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, July 11th at St. Lawrence Catholic Church at three o'clock, corner of Hillsborough and Himes Avenues. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, July 10th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the chapel of GONZALEZ FUNERAL HOME (813) 9 31-1833

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Published by TBO.com on Jul. 6, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for David Cahill

26 Entries

Sandra Christie

July 15, 2003

To the Family of Dr. David Cahill,
I knew Dr Cahill not only as the man who gave me back full use of my right arm, but as a man who gave hope to so many when it seemed there was no hope to be had. I saw this side of him while working as a (temporary) rad tech at his clinic at Harbourside. I was grateful that he was willing and able to help me and I will never forget him for that. I offer you my sincerest condolences and hope you will all find the strength to on.
Sandra E Christie, RT(R)

Darlene Bass

July 15, 2003

Dear Sandy,

You have lost a loving and caring husband, I have lost a doctor that saved my life nearly 8 years ago and has been a big part of my life. I know the Lord sent him to me when I was air lifted to TGH broken and busted up they told my husband I would not live through the night. After spending a month in TGH and going through 4 of the 6 surgeries he has performed on me I came into his office for my follow up visit and when the exam was over and my husband and I was leaving he gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek and said that I was a miracle. I will never forget that. I was suppose to see him on July 8 for a follow up visit from my last surgey. I guess we all feel like you do (if I could just see him and talk to him one more time).

My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family during this time. But take great comfort in knowing this special man that has given so much to so many is now receiving the greatest reward of all.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

God Bless

Dee Griffith

July 11, 2003

Sandy: I don't know what to say. When Paul (Sanberg) called me and told me I was in shock. I am Paul's ex-wife and your family and Paul and I went to some air shows together. All I remember is that Dave was so smart and knew so much about the planes. It was like having our own encyclopedia with us. When we went Laurin was small and Erin and Austin were not that big either (probably 9 years ago?). You also worked on my teeth and filed the front and I was so grateful because no other dentist would do it. I hope you remember me because I have such wonderful memories of you and Dave. I was always so touched when I was with the two of you because you were so in love. You genuinely liked each other and enjoyed each other's company. I especially liked the pictures you had of you and Dave in your house (one in particular on the wall near the kitchen of you and Dave when you were younger). Those pictures told more about your relationship than anything. I also remember Dave playing with our baby, Nicole. He was so good to her and she just loved to play with his glasses and beard (when he had one). I don't know how someone goes on after losing their closest and dearest friend. I wish I could say somthing that would make things better but I can't. I can only say you and the kids are in my thoughts every day and I truly believe Dave left this place doing what he loved. Please know you are very loved, Sandy.
Sincerely, Dee Griffith (Sanberg)

Celeste Cox

July 9, 2003

Dr.Cahill operated on my mom when no other doctor would take the case. He had courage and fortitude, and I admired him for that.He was a man of great action and few words, Im so sorry we have lost a man like him. He will forever be in our thoughts and minds. We will also pray for his family.

Ruth Chatfield

July 8, 2003

To Dr. Cahill's family:
Dr Cahill operated on me just after his first adrenal gland transfer for Parkinson's disease. He was so excited about the surgery he had just done. He then operated on me. He was just as excited for how my simple surgery turned out and I was going to be just fine and I was with his help. I was a nurse at Moffitt working with many of his patients and he always took time to talk to me and see how I was doing. Since my surgery, he also operated on a friend of mine, and both an aunt and uncle of mine. He was absolutely the best and the world will miss him dearly.
I grew up in St. Petersburg with the Browns and Edward Brown's mother and mine are very close friends. I know Edward's family is also praying for you as he recovers from this horrible tragedy. Please know that there are many of us out there praying for your comfort and God's peace for you.

Peter J. Coulchinsky

July 8, 2003

May you find comfort in knowing that God, as a good and caring Father, takes to him those souls that are a flower ready to be picked up by the heavenly gardener. I'll keep David and the rest of the family in my prayers.

God bless you all.

Anna Browder

July 8, 2003

We have lost the best neurosurgeon in the country on Wedesday, July 2, 2003. He was my neurosurgeon and he was my friend since June 1992. He removed both of my Astrocytoma's GII June 1992 & June 1994 while I was awake & talking & laughing with him. He was given miraculous, magical hands from God. We just celebrated our 11th anniversity on June 24th. He was an incredible neurosurgeon and even more, an incredible human being filled with love and compassion. My heart weeps for each of us that had the opportunity to know him. My prayers go to his family, his staff, his colleagues, his friends and his patients. We will always love him and miss him from the bottom of our hearts.
Anna Browder, Founder,
Angels In The Sun

Doug PD

July 8, 2003

I am so very sorry for the loss of such a good man. As a spinal patient, there are few really good docs for us, and Dr. Cahill was one of the best. I have friends who have had him as their doc, and I almost did too, except for the distance, I would have.

Now, God has one of the best, and we have the memory of one of the best.

Fran Middleton

July 8, 2003

I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Cahill. Dr. Cahill worked his magic on my son, Matthew Middleton, in January, 2003. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, associates, and patients. So tragic, so very sad.

Wendy Zachmeyer

July 8, 2003

My sympathies and prayers to the Greens and the Cahills for the loss of such a wonderful man. May God and your family and friends bring you all comfort. I will be thinking of you.

Love,
Wendy L. Zachmeyer
Accounting Manager
Catholic Charities of San Antonio

Barbara Mitchell-Mader

July 8, 2003

After returning from a long holiday weekend, I was saddened to hear about the great loss of Dr. Cahill. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Cahill three (3) years ago during my cervical spinal issues. He came so highly recommended by a colleague and was wonderfully refreshing to meet with. I am deeply saddened and am grateful for the pleasure of knowing him. My heart goes out to his family.

Linda and Jack Wyatt

July 7, 2003

Our sincere sympathy to your family. Dr Cahill took care of our father - he will be sorely missed!

The Wyatt's
Hyde Park - Tampa, FL

May Johnson

July 7, 2003

Sandy, Erin, Laurin, Austin. For all who knew David it is a passing of a great man who possessed a wonderful sense of humor, compassion, skill, and professionalism. David was there for me when I needed him for my husband and then my daughter. We will never forget the caring and honesty that you and Sandy showed us. We will always be there for you and your children as you were for me. My love and prayers are with you always.

Glorybell Ramirez

July 7, 2003

I was in shock with the news. I ask for everyone who knew him to keep this special family (specially his wife who always put others first and serve them so well) in prayer!

Sigrid Johnson MD

July 7, 2003

Dear Sandy, Erin, Laurin, Austin:

Dr Cahill was a very special man, colleague, and surgeon. He was physician to my father and when I made a desperate call to him one Memorial Day weekend, he performed the brilliant surgery which saved my sister's life (Kristin Johnson Godwin). I am unspeakably saddened and pray you will all get through this time. Please let me share a poem which was so special to my father, also a pilot:
High Flight
by John Gillespie Magee Jr

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings:
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth,
Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things,
You have not dreamed of- wheeled and soared and swung,
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Dr. Cahill wil be sorely missed.

Arlene Rash Aldridge

July 7, 2003

Dear Sandra and children,
We have never met, but I feel I have known you all my life. Your mother, Alice, has told me so much about you, your husband and your beautiful family. My heart and my prayers go out to you. I lost my sister also in a sudden accident. May your sorrow be lightened in the knowledge that his love will continue on in your heart and your memories.
He achieved so much. He loved and helped so many. A legacy such as this, not even time can erode.
God bless you all.

virginia slaven

July 6, 2003

Surgery was scheduled. Instead of discussing the gruelling details Dr. Cahill looked out the window of TGH and showed me the beauty of the ships sailing the bay. And then saved my life. He cared. I heard a graduation speaker say "Leave something beautiful and lasting behind" HE DID THIS IN EVERY WAY!
My sympathy to his family.

Randy Scott

July 6, 2003

I grew up with Dr. Cahill and he was my closest friend. We shared many great times during high school and at UVA. Although we have not kept in contact like we should have, I have often thought of David and Sandy.

I was greatly saddened to hear of his accident and I pray he is at peace. I know airplanes were an important part of his life; he took me up in his dad's plane for my first plane ride.

I hope that Sandy and the family will keep alive his memory. I know I will never forget this great friend. I hope Sandy is able to contact us so we can speak privately.

Randy

Cheryl Alho

July 6, 2003

May loving memories ease your loss and bring you comfort.
With Sympathy

Matthew Burry

July 6, 2003

A deep loss. You are in our prayers.

sheryl shetsky

July 6, 2003

Although I regret never meeting Dr.Cahill I know him through association. I am sure that Moffitt is the premier institution it is today because of his dedication and committment to his work.My heart is heavy for his family and dear friends.The brain tumor community as well has suffered a great loss. I pray he is flying high spreading his wings as the brightest angel in heaven. Sheryl Shetsky

Sammye Torres

July 6, 2003

with love,and support to those left behind.God Bless you

Constance Moore

July 6, 2003

Once you gave me a halo but no wings, now you have both. You have not left the family you so loved nor those of us whose bodies you put back together. We can look at the brightest star in the sky and know you watch still. My sympathy to the wife who made his eyes light up when he spoke of her, the children in whom he was so proud.

Cindy Gudeman

July 6, 2003

Sandy, Erin, Austin and Laurin,
My love, thoughts and prayers have been with you continuously since you called last Wednesday. Our friendship began during internship at MCV in 1976 and we have gone through so much together. Residency, teaching inner city, dental school, graduate school,vacations at Smith Mountain, and the births of our children, and we have remained best buddies, Sandy. 3 months ago when my 21 year old daughter, Abbie, died tragically you flew into Charlotte and were there to support and comfort me and my family. I am now here for you as are all your friends. We love you. Erin, Austin, and Laurin, your dad absolutely adored the three of you and he was so proud to call you his children. He loved taking you to meetings and he so appreciated your presence in his life. He was a wonderful man. He was funny, serious, kind and Sandy, you were his best friend. He loved your energy, your compassion, your intelligence and life was beautiful for him because of you. David, above all, was about family and he honored and adored each of you as you did him. I love you all, Cindy

Gregory Gaar

July 6, 2003

Sandra, Erin, Austin, and Laurin -- please let me express my sympathy for your tragic loss in the death of David. I hope that knowing that others care for you will be important in the healing process. Greg

Judith Harden

July 6, 2003

Dr. Cahill, you will be missed terribly by your patients (I am one of them). You were the only one that cared enough to help me with my spinal problems and did surgery to correct it.

To the family of Dr. Cahill, he was a wonderful doctor and person. The community will be lost without him.

I will pray for you and your family.

Sincerely

Judy Harden

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