Dr. Ferdinand S. Leacock, a retired surgeon who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, dies – Baltimore Sun

Dr. Ferdinand S. Leacock, a retired thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon who served as a fight area surgeon through the Vietnam Conflict, died Oct. 5 of a number of myeloma at his Pikesville dwelling. He was 88.

“Everyone that I do know who encountered him beloved him not just for the doctor he was however for the individual he was. He had an impressive status as a surgeon and as a doctor chief, and he was compassionate,” stated Dr. Samuel Ross, who retired in 2020 from Bon Secours-Mercy Well being System, the place he labored carefully with Dr. Leacock, who after he retired from working towards surgical procedure in 2004, labored at Bon Secours Hospital as a physician-adviser.

“[Dr. Leacock] was a distinguished and stately gentleman in his method, and was scholarly, however all the time with a humorousness.”

Howard T. Jessamy, former administrator at Baltimore’s Provident Hospital, was not solely a colleague however a longtime good friend of 39 years.

“He was well liked by his colleagues and sufferers,” Mr. Jessamy stated. “He was a relaxed and affordable individual. He was each an environment friendly and efficient doctor.”

Ferdinand St. Obin Leacock was the son of immigrant dad and mom. His father, Ferdinand S. Leacock Sr., was a service provider seaman who was usually away from the household, and his mom, Sylvia V. Alkins Leacock, had been an authorized midwife in Barbados.

Dr. Leacock was born in New York Metropolis, and when his mom wasn’t allowed to apply midwifery in Manhattan, she took a job as a seamstress in a garment manufacturing facility. Searching for higher baby look after her son, she despatched him to stay along with her mom in Barbados.

After graduating from Harrison Faculty, a highschool, in Christ Church, Barbados, he returned to New York Metropolis, the place he entered Columbia Faculty and earned his bachelor’s diploma in 1956.

He obtained his medical diploma in 1960 from Howard College Medical College and accomplished a normal surgical residency on the previous Fort Howard Veterans Hospital and residences in each thoracic and cardiovascular surgical procedure from what’s now the College of Maryland Medical Heart.

Throughout his junior 12 months at Columbia, he met and fell in love with the previous Yvonne Smith, a scholar at Barnard Faculty, whom he met in a faith class. They married in 1968.

Dr. Leacock enlisted within the Military as a captain and from 1965 to 1967. He was a normal surgeon on the Valley Forge Basic Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, earlier than being despatched to Vietnam in 1967 as a area surgeon assigned to the 18th Surgical Hospital in Pleiku.

In 2017, Dr. Leacock obtained a letter from retired Military Maj. Roy Dean, whom he had handled through the conflict and who lastly positioned the person who saved his life after looking army data which can be held in St. Louis.

“On March 3, 1967, you got the duty of receiving me within the 18th Surgical Hospital in Pleiku. I had been hit with incoming artillery, my face, each shoulders, and chest which broken my liver, gall bladder and several other ribs,” Maj. Dean had written. “For 4 days each time I awakened I’d see your face and watch your arms do their magic on my physique to make it higher … For 50 years, I’ve seen your face and arms, not realizing who you had been … It will be good to speak and specific my because of you for saving my life.”

“That letter arrived in 2017, and we known as him instantly so the 2 of them may chat,” Mrs. Leacock stated. “Vietnam was such a traumatic time, and when he got here dwelling, he simply threw every thing in a field.”

After being discharged in 1967, he accomplished his residency in thoracic surgical procedure in 1969 at what’s now the College of Maryland Medical Heart and was appointed chief of surgical procedure on the previous Provident Hospital on Liberty Heights Avenue.

From 1972 to 1976, he was an assistant professor of surgical procedure on the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical College in Los Angeles and, throughout that very same time interval, was an assistant professor of surgical procedure on the College of California at Los Angeles College of Medication.

Dr. Leacock was later medical affiliate professor within the division of surgical procedure at Meharry Medical Faculty in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1981 to 1985.

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After holding a number of surgical positions at Los Angeles County-Martin Luther King Jr. Basic Hospital, Dr. Leacock returned to Baltimore in 1987 when he was appointed chief of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical procedure at Bon Secours Hospital, throughout which era he additionally served as chief of thoracic surgical procedure at what’s now the College of Maryland Medical Heart Midtown Campus.

From 1990 to 1992, he was vp of medical affairs for the previous Liberty Medical Heart and from 1992 to 1999 was chairman of the hospital’s division of surgical procedure. He additionally maintained a non-public surgical apply till retiring in 2004.

“On the non-public aspect, he gave me sound recommendation and steering,” Mr. Jessamy stated. “He was a mentor to me as properly.”

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Dr. Leacock retired in 2015 from Bon Secours Hospital, the place he had been a doctor adviser since 2004.

A world traveler, a few of his most significant journeys had been to the Holy Land on pilgrimages that had been organized and guided by the Rev. Wendell H. Phillips, pastor of Heritage United Church, who baptized Dr. Leacock within the Jordan River.

“He wasn’t a member of the church, however he would accompany us to Bible research and religious retreats,” his spouse stated.

Dr. Leacock was an lively member of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity. He was additionally a “fierce competitor on the tennis courtroom and on the card desk, the place he performed bid whist,” his spouse stated. “He most well-liked powerful opponents, and he beloved to win.”

A memorial service can be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 on the March Life Tribute Heart, 5616 Previous Court docket Highway, Randallstown.

Along with his spouse of 64 years, former govt director of Hope Assist Heart, Dr. Leacock is survived by three sons, Keith Leacock of Mount Vernon, Stephen Leacock of Pikesville and Kent Leacock of Oakland, California; a daughter, Adrienne Leacock of Oakland, California; and three grandchildren.