David McNutt M.D.

1937 - 2022

David McNutt, M.D.

David Richard McNutt, MD, MSc, MPH, former resident of Santa Cruz, California, passed away at age 84 in Toledo, Ohio on June 12, 2022. He was born on July 1, 1937, to Dorothy Lillian (Mellus) McNutt and David Francis McNutt, in Toledo, Ohio. A graduate of DeVilbiss High School, Dave obtained his bachelor of arts degree on full scholarship from Columbia University, his Master of Science (Microbiology) and Doctor of Medicine from Ohio State University, and his Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. While at Columbia, he loved New York City and was quite a party boy, and as a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, he served two terms as president (Consul). He was stroke oarsman of the lightweight rowing team for four years, and received his Varsity C letter. He was elected to the Society of Nacoms. He was chosen to be Chairman of the Senior Week Graduation activities, and was Master of Ceremonies for the Commencement Exercise. At Ohio State, he was a member of Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity, and was elected to Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society for his graduate school work and to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society for his medical school studies.

Dave completed his internal medicine training at Tulane and Vanderbilt, a second residency in preventive medicine at Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Johns Hopkins, and a fellowship in hematology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. He was certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Dave and future wife Kristen Wallwork met in the cafeteria at Vanderbilt University in 1967, where Kristen was completing her PhD in biochemistry. They married on September 13, 1969 and lived in San Francisco while both of them completed post-doctoral studies at the University of California.

Dave then served two years in the US Air Force as a Major, Medical Corps, stationed at bases in Okinawa and Tucson. Kristen and Dave volunteered with Project HOPE in Natal, Brazil in 1972, where Dave was Chief of Internal Medicine. Kristen taught nutrition at the dental school. Dave's peripatetic career positions included: Commander in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Corps; Deputy Commissioner of Health for the City of Chicago; Executive Director, The New York Academy of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Public Health at Cornell University College of Medicine; Senior Attending Physician at Cook County Hospital, Chicago; and Health Officer/Medical Services Director of Washtenaw County, MI and DuPage County IL. In 2000, Dave and Kristen moved to Santa Cruz where Dave served as Health Officer and Medical Services Director for the County of Santa Cruz until retiring in 2005 and they lived there until 2015. Dave authored, co-authored or otherwise had responsibility for many publications in his bibliography including hematologic case reports, basics of immunology, physician manpower analyses, and he proudly served as second author of his wife's college-level nutrition textbook, Making Food Choices.

Kristen and Dave enjoyed their extensive travels throughout a good bit of the world, both for pleasure and business. Some trips included family and often their dear friend, Colonel Keith Barber whom Kristen first met at Columbia at a reception for President Dwight Eisenhower. In retirement, Dave and Kristen volunteered for five years as full-time coordinators for the Santa

Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps - a national medical preparedness organization under the US Surgeon General. The McNutts enjoyed hosting the MRC leadership at dinner meetings at their Santa Cruz Mountain home and the camaraderie of the members at many training events and disaster response exercises. They especially valued their involvement with the American Red Cross and United Way of Santa Cruz County.

Dave and Kristen's loving relationships with their mini-Schnauzers, Hansel, Gretel and King Arthur over sixteen years was a source of constant happiness and contentment. The dogs accompanied them on RV and camping trips, and were always a prominent feature in The McNutt Chronicle – their Holiday newsletters.

Dave was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2015 and after prolonged treatment, he regained much of his independence. Kristen - who was diagnosed with lung cancer at this time - and Dave moved to Toledo to be closer to Dave's family in 2015, where Kristen died soon thereafter.

Dave treasured being close to his brother and his family, and living independently in his retirement communities in Toledo until his death.

We remember Dave for his quest for new opportunities and challenges; his love of travel; and, like Kristen, their treasured long-term friendships, many from elementary school. Dave was proud that his favorite professor of medicine at Vanderbilt, many years later, accused him of never outgrowing his "academic adolescence."

Dave was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Kristen. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Lynne McNutt of Temperance, MI; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. J. Caleb and Kathryn Wallwork of Brentwood, TN, and eight nieces and nephews.

Dave did not want a funeral or memorial service, and he chose to have his remains cremated. We thank the Ansberg-West funeral directors and staff for final arrangements. Those wishing to memorialize Dave may make a contribution to their preferred charity. Condolences for Dave's family may be expressed online at

www.ansberg-west.com