Name: Memorial service for Brendan Padraic Pearse PHIBBS
Start: 2016-03-30T23:30:00.000Z
Location: Kiewit Auditorium at the Banner-University Medical Center

PHIBBS, Brendan Padraic Pearse MD, FACP, FACC, medical pioneer and Bronze Star double recipient in World War II, died at age 99 on March 5, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. Born December 3, 1916 in New York City, he grew up in Chicago, IL. He married Marie Claire (Penny) Harle June 1940, and later earned his M.D. from Northwestern in 1941. He served as a combat surgeon in the 12th Armored Division of the United States Army from 1942 - 1945, fighting through the Battle of the Bulge. A Major, he was one of the first American physicians to volunteer in the typhus- ravaged Dachau concentration camp. After the war, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Luke's Hospital in Chicago and earned an M.S. in Physiology. In 1952 the family moved to Casper, Wyoming where he practiced Internal Medicine for 20 years, specializing in Cardiology. He set up a local Health Fund to support a successful campaign he created to prevent rheumatic heart disease which previously had ravaged the area. He led a crusade against silicosis and lung cancer among miners in bentonite and uranium mines in Wyoming, resulting in industry wide health standards to protect miners. In 1971, he moved to Tucson to join the Cardiology Department of the new University Arizona College of Medicine. He later became Chief of Cardiology at Pima County Hospital in 1975. During his medical career in Tucson, Brendan taught and mentored medical students, wrote cardiology texts, and advocated for quality universal health care. Penny Phibbs, his wife of 34 years, died in Tucson in 1975, mourned by friends in both Casper and Tucson. Brendan wrote a memoir of his WWII experiences, "The Other Side of Time", published in 1987. Awarded the Pen West award for Nonfiction, it was also chosen a Book of the Month Club Selection. Dr. Phibbs married Liana Fernandez de Castro in 1982. They shared their passions for literature, art and the outdoors until her death in 2011. Brendan was an active member of the ACLU, served on the National Board of the Audubon Society, volunteered with Tucson's Holocaust Education Committee, travelled to Navajo and Tohono O'odham American Indian communities to hold free cardiology clinics. Dr. Phibbs is survived by his brother, Roderic Phibbs, MD (Jane), their four sons, by his children, Susan Breznay (George), Henry Phibbs (Leslie Pedersen), Judith Phibbs, Hugh Phibbs (Joan Warburton), seven grandchildren and two spouses, two grandsons-in-law, two stepnieces and two stepnephews and their families and two great-grandchildren. A Memorial will be held in the Kiewit Auditorium at the Banner-University Medical Center in Tucson on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 4:30 p.m., and a celebration for friends and family will be held at Corona Ranch, 7595 E. Snyder Rd. in Tucson on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dr. Phibbs' memory to the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center at P.O. Box 245018, Tucson, AZ 85724. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 27, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Brendan PHIBBS

31 Entries

Jodi Gammage

March 16, 2024

I am a retired RN in Calgary , Alberta. Just now reading, The Other Side of Time".....my word ! What a fabulous book !!!! Because a fabulous combat surgeon wrote it. His style of writing is captivating , intelligent , real and humorous!
May his memory be a blessing!

Benjamin Muniz

March 26, 2017

I first met Dr. Phibbs in 1997 as a patient at Kino Hosp.Being taken there after suffering a heart attack at work.He was a true Dr. for his patients really caring on a personal level not just a job.He explained everything so that i knew what was going on.To this very day when i go for a check up every 6 months i always mention Dr. Phibbs and everyone knows of him.

February 1, 2017

a great loss of a good friend and a loss to the nation and medical in the us , he will be missed
larry metler

December 10, 2016

Brendan was a great man: a scholar, a soldier, a kind, understanding friend. I had the very great honor of training with him as a medical student and later working with him as a colleague. He taught me and legions of others more than most could ever absorb. We invited him to deliver a lecture at the University of Washington. The room was filled to overflowing. At the conclusion of his planned remarks, he mentioned the Holocaust and the responsibility of physicians to their patients and society. The over 100 people in attendance were absolutely quiet. A devastating conclusion to a brilliant and insightful session.

He is and will always be missed. A great man.

Keith Comess, MD
Frances DeRook, MD

Terry Greathouse

May 19, 2016

Dr. Phibbs was truly a Great friend and it was an honor knowing him.

April 14, 2016

Brendan was a true renaissance man of many talents and qualities. I had the privlidge and pleasure of working with Brendan as a RN at Kino Hospital all departmets. He took me under his wing to teach me cardiology, physical assessment without the monitors help "what if there is no electricity" he would say. "Just listen, look, observe". He was a clininian's clinician with high expectations for all. He was at ease teaching medicine as he was teaching us his life's lessons/experiences. May the candlelit dinners, wine, music and reading of your choice continue-a romatic at heart. Your fly rod is waiting. A remarkable man, he will be missed.
LeeLucia Westfall, RN, Tucson, Az

Michael Woldenberg

April 7, 2016

The surviving 12th Armored Division veterans and their families will be saddened to learn that Dr. Brendan Phibbs has died. He was one of the doctors and medical personnel who cared for the men of Combat Command B within a mile or two of the fighting. He and his team saved the lives of many wounded men. Immediately after the war he worked in Dachau, to treat those who had typhus. He made sure the survivors of the Dachau camps were fed properly as they continued to suffer after they were liberated. His superb book, THE OTHER SIDE OF TIME (republished in paper back as OUR WAR FOR THE WORLD) described the war from the point of view of the infantrymen. He preserved the names and personalities of some of the soldiers and medics of Combat Command B, insuring that they will not be forgotten. Among these men was my uncle, 1st Lt. Charles M. Willis, 56th Armored Infantry Battalion, KIA, 03/23/1945.
Michael Woldenberg

Richard Winn

April 5, 2016

Dr. Phibbs was a delightful human being and doctor. He was a major role model for those of us privileged to have been taught by him at the U of A. His contributions to the ongoing needed memories of the Holocaust are a testament to his character. Thanks to him also for his military service; one of the Greatest Generation members.

Dana Stumpp

April 2, 2016

I recognize this is not a forum page, however, I would like to offer up that Dr. Phibbs memoirs is still available. It was retitled "Our War for the World" and you will be able to find it online. May he 'live on' with your sharing this wonderful book! Blessings

Donald Kangas

March 31, 2016

One of the best books I've ever read was Dr. Phibbs' "The Other Side of Time". I gave my son one copy and another to my doctor, Arnold Hollander, who said he knew him. I wasn't able to find any more copies. I have a copy of his book "The Cardiac Arrhythmias". I never met Dr. Phibbs, but he did reply to my message telling him how much I'd enjoyed reading his earlier book. I'm sorry to have not met him.(I'm not a doctor, but had served in the army twice, so appreciated his realistic descriptions of combat.)

Steven Seifert

March 30, 2016

I was privileged to practice alongside Brendan for many years at Kino Hospital. He was a clinician's clinician; dedicated to his patients and colleagues; a lucid and patient teacher; and a true friend. When I took a trip to Ireland, he asked me to pay a visit to the street in Dublin named after his family. "Of course," he said, "they spell it wrong over there." I brought a photo of "Phibs Road" back to Tucson to share with him.

March 30, 2016

I last saw Dr Phibbs in 1992 as I finished my medical training in Tucson . He was a absolute legend to the medical students and trainees in Tucson. He was funny, wise, compassionate and brilliant. I thought I'd be a success if I could be half the doctor he was. I have an autographed copy of his book I've always treasured and read many times.

May he rest in peace - and may his family be comforted knowing how many us learned from him, admired him and adored him.

Patty Mayer, MD, MS

Joann Hubbard

March 30, 2016

How do you describe a man who shaped so many nurses and interns lives? It is challenging. I would ask some of the practicing physicians to remember placing a temporary pacemaker via current of injury before the days of cath labs. I would also ask them to remember who could perform the fastest cut-down during an emergency, before anothoer physician could place a central line. There are many memories and treasured items like autographed copies of his books and letters of recognition. A truly great man and boss.

Aiice Fessenden

March 28, 2016

I was involved In a Rhumatic Fever Prevention Program that Dr. Phibbs organized in Casper, Wyoming back in the fifties.. Calling upon his wife's friends to give school children a throat swab, the culture could be positive for strep, and the success of the program launched Brendan to the Board of the American Heart Association..

I also took a Modern Poetry Class from Dr.Phibbs and his reading of Yeats, e.e.cummings, Garard Manley Hopkins, and DylanThomas was a theater in itself.

Our children were friends, and there were picnics, skiing on Casper Mountain, and happy times.

Alice Fessenden, Henderson, Nv.

Dana Stumpp

March 28, 2016

Dear Doc,

May you enjoy a never ending candlelit dinner party replete with good wine, great poetry, unique guests, and those you have loved that you are now reunited with.

Remembering you (and Paris) with the utmost fondness.

Ray Davies

March 28, 2016

Dr. Phibbs spent over 50 years sharing, as a volunteer speaker at the Tucson Holocaust Education Committee, personal information and photos he took as a medical surgeon during WW2 in the Dachau camp with thousands of students and community groups. His two published books provides detail accounts of the genocide for future generations. I had the honor of escorting Dr. Phibbs on many of his presentations and served as co-chair with him on the project establishing the Tucson Holocaust Museum on Stone Ave which was dedicated on February 21 of this year. My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family.

Patrick Butler

March 28, 2016

Really a giant of a man, who was full of compassion and wisdom, but not of himself. He lived in remarkable times and rose to the occasions, as was clear from his book about his experiences in the war and his texts on the formative years of cardiology and technology.

It was such an honor to work with him on medical/legal issues. He was patient and kind, a wonderful teacher, who always saw it as his duty to tell the truth.

There are many of us who have said we never met anyone like him, and I doubt we ever will.

Dr. Phibbs thank you for your life of service.

Patrick Butler

Ray Davies

March 28, 2016

Dr. Phibbs shared personal stories and his photos he took while a medical surgeon and as a volunteer in the Dachau camp during WW2 with thousands of students and community groups over the past 50 years. His insight concerning the Holocaust in his two books will provide generations with knowledge of this genocide. It was an honor to escort Dr. Phibbs to so many of these presentations and to be asked to be a co-chair with him of the Tucson Holocaust Museum project which opened in Febuary this year. My thoughts and prayers to his family.

Lois Ellen Atkins

March 28, 2016

I knew Dr. Phibbs in the hospital setting. I was an ICU Nurse at Kino and treasured the lessons he taught me in Cardiology. He helped me be a better RN. One of the things he did for the nurses "not the Doctors" was get us lovely chairs to sit on in the ICU. Ours were falling apart and another ejected anyone who sat on it. He took care of "his nurses". That I was Irish didn't hurt.
Brendan was also a friend and member of my church the UU Church on 22 St Tucson, I enjoyed coffee hour as Brendan would join my group at coffee hour. There wasn't a thing that man didn't know something about, he enjoying being the center of attention with wonderful discourse. Always the teacher and I the willing student. You will be missed.

Edward Byrne-Quinn M.D.

March 28, 2016

A true intellectual as well as an outstanding teacher and cardiologist. Also a skilled fly fisherman.
First met him in Denver and we both came to Tucson in 1971.
I once read that his WW11 book "The Other Side of Time" would have made a better movie than Saving Private Ryan!
As a family we were honored that we were friends.

Steven Wool. M. D.

March 27, 2016

An amazing physician and teacher.he was an inspiration to so many of us who trained as residents at Kino
I often remember how he scolded us for using the S-G catheter to manage critical patients in the CC U
In the end he was right as he was on so many issues in that is rarely used today
Sorry he didn't live to see Universal coverage .
A truly great physician . He made a real difference . His influence will live on.

Christina Molander-Pasterz

March 27, 2016

I worked PCGH and KINO ER, so had the pleasure of working with and knowing Dr. Phibbs. What an amazing and skilled physician.
Rest in peace....
Christina Molander Pasterz

Gary Israel

March 27, 2016

Dr. Phibbs testified as an expert medical witness at numerous hearings before me at the Industrial Commission. He was always fair, well-prepared, a pleasure to have in my hearings, and to boot, he was a fount of interesting and historical stories. An excellent physician, a compassionate human being. He will definitely be missed in our community and always well remembered. Condolences to his family.

Gary Israel

March 27, 2016

Brendan was a ubique man. He was a a caring physician, a brilliant intellect and a talented writer. His cardiology texts on arrhythmias and his classic, The Other Side of Time, were regarded as first class works by all who read them. He was passionate about caring for the less fortunate in our society, he tolerated fools poorly and pursued charlatans both in and out of the medical field with a passion. He gloried in his Irish heritage.

We worked together at Kino hospital, fellow physicians with pride in being Irish and practicing good medicine together. We were good friends and I shall miss him.

Wally Mulligan

Santa Fe New Mexico

March 27, 2016

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Phibbs at Kino Hospital ER has a unit clerk. He was just an amazing caring Doctor/man
who will be missed by many.

my deepest sympathy to his family.

Martha

Nancy Culver

March 27, 2016

I had the privilege of working with Dr.Phibbs at Kino Hospital as a nurse. Dr.Phibbs was so well loved and compassionate ,he will always be remembered by all.

Deborah MENNEN

March 27, 2016

I am honored to have worked with Dr. Phibbs at Kino Hosital, as a nurse in the emergency department.Ever the educator, Dr. Phibbs is a legend that made a difference in all his walks of life, and will be remembered as one of our heros.

Emily Rosenberg Pollock

March 27, 2016

I was at CRMS in the 60's with Judith when I first heard the Phibbs name. After graduating I went to the U of A. I often found myself joining in anti-war peace marches on the campus and Brendan was always there quietly making sure the police didn't rough us up. My father (George Rosenberg) had known Brendan from his inception with the medical school. My husband worked with Brendan at the medical school and Brendan mentored my son, Max, through his cardiology rotation. Max loved his stories, his humor, and his teachings.

I am sorry for your loss.Brendan's death is a loss for many. He was a remarkable man and I'm sure your memories are equally remarkable.

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