Dr. Harold Danforth

1919 - 2017

Dr. Danforth, Harold

Doctor Harold J. Danforth, age 97, died on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Oakwood Manor, Oshkosh. Dr. Danforth was born on November 4, 1919 to Dr. Quincy H. and Jennie (Safford) Danforth in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His mother's love of music started him playing trumpet and appreciating swing band brass players. He often accompanied his father on home tonsillectomies with the family horse and buggy when roads were impassable by car. He keenly felt the loss of his older brother Quincy A. from his untimely death at age 18. Dr. Danforth attended the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University School of Medicine where he met his beloved Betty (Elizabeth) Clodius. For him, it was love at first sight and they were married for 68 years until her death in 2011. Saddened at childlessness, both Betty and Harold were lovingly involved in the lives of their nieces and nephews.

Entering WWII Navy service right out of Medical School, he served as a physician in the Pacific. Only a few years after returning to Oshkosh to start his General Practice, he was recalled to service for the Korean Conflict.

His Oshkosh practice included many house calls and even snowshoeing a mile through a blizzard to old Mercy Hospital to attend a birth, as all other doctors were snowed in. With Betty as his answering service, he would take calls from patients at all hours, giving advice and instructions. After closing his private practice, he worked for a few years as an ER doctor at Mercy Hospital before retiring in 1985.

Dr. Danforth had numerous hobbies. He was an avid ham radio operator since he was 19 years old and most recently went by the call signal NU9L. He contacted fellow "hams" almost daily around the world for over 70 years. He had a lifelong interest in photography and kept his camera at his side, especially on camping trips out West. While raising two Weimaraner National Open Derby Champions, he developed a love of horseback riding.

A consummate gentleman, he was kind and respectful to everyone he met. He never held an unkind thought or word towards anyone, but always encouraged them in their career, especially if it was in the health care field.

Dr. Danforth is preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents, his brother, his sisters-in-law Bernice (Clodius) Just and Marlilyn (Clodius) Scharch, and brother-in-law George J. Scharch.

Dr. Danforth is survived by his brother-in-law William Just of Alaska, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Oakwood Manor of Oshkosh for providing a loving second home to Harold. He was deeply appreciative of their care, concern and compassion.

In respect to his wishes, no service will be held. As a celebration of his life, memorials may be made to Saint Francis Clinic or Holy Family Villa of Father Carr's Place 2B of Oshkosh.