W. Proctor Harvey

HARVEY, W. Proctor, M.D., passed away peacefully at his home in Richmond, Va., on September 26, 2007, at the age of 89. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Irma Burns Harvey; his loving daughter, Janet H. Trivette and son-in-law, George A. Trivette, M.D., of Richmond, Va.; his three grandsons, Proctor Harvey Trivette and G. Alex Trivette Jr. of Richmond, Va., Daniel Proctor Harvey of Clinton, Conn.; as well as Dr. Harvey's "sweetie" (Proctor Trivette's girlfriend) Christen Snead, of Richmond, Va. He was the son of the late William C. Harvey and Caroline Proctor Harvey of Lynchburg, Va. He was also predeceased by two sons, Blair B. Harvey in 1967 at the age of 5, and W. Proctor Harvey Jr. in 1984 at the age of 32. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Dr. W. Proctor Harvey achieved international distinction as clinician, scientist, and educator. He graduated from Lynchburg College and subsequently Duke University School of Medicine in 1943. He pursued his graduate education on the Harvard service of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, interrupted by two years of army service during World War II. He obtained his cardiology training under the great Samuel Levine, who not only fostered his interest and love for cardiology but also influenced his concerned and dedicated approach to patients, students, and colleagues. He wrote the first comprehensive textbook on cardiac auscultation, in collaboration with Dr. Levine. He recently completed a comprehensive textbook on cardiac auscultation with extensive audio heart sound examples. He authored numerous scientific papers. He invented the Harvey Welch Allyn Tycos stethoscope series, including the triple header stethoscope and elite stethoscope. Testimonies to his standing as a leader in the field of cardiology are numerous. He served President of the American Heart Association, as President of the Association of University Cardiologists, and as editor of several important publications in cardiology. He was one of the select few elected a Master of the American College of Physicians. Among his many honors are the Patrick Healy Award of Georgetown University, the Gifted Teacher Award of the American College of Cardiology, the Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award of Duke University, the Distinguished Physician Award of Modern Medicine, and the 1978 Medal of the American College of Chest Physicians. In 1979, Georgetown University bestowed an Honorary Degree of Science on Dr. Harvey. For his students and his patients, he stood foremost as a friend, counselor, healer, and teacher. Enthusiasm and total involvement in the task at hand, humility, compassion, and thoughtfulness are the qualities known to all exposed to him during his 57 years of able stewardship of the Georgetown University Medical School Division of Cardiology. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Proctor Harvey Center for Excellence in Clinical Teaching at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Office of the Dean, 3900 Reservoir Rd. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, (202) 687-3922.