Lansing Thorne

He was born in El Paso, Texas, on February 1, 1921. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso and the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his medical degree from Southwestern Medical College in 1944. Dr. Thorne completed his internship in pediatrics at The University of Wisconsin. He took his residency training at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. During residency, he married his wife of sixty-three years, Shirley Ellen Kennedy. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics. He served as a physician in the United States Army and in the United States Public Health Service before entering into private practice with his twin brother and other valued colleagues in Austin. He was active in the Texas Medical Association. After retiring from private practice, Dr. Thorne became the Medical Director for PCA Health Plan. At his retirement roast, he was honored for ensuring that no child covered by the plan went without needed medical care while he was Medical Director.

Dr. Thorne was a man of decency, modesty, integrity, and responsibility. His compassion for children was palpable. He was a committed husband and loving father. His loyalty to the medical profession inspired his daughter to devote her legal career to defending health care providers in medical malpractice cases. Dr. Thorne was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed gardening, hunting, and fishing. He traveled extensively; his recurring observation was that “children are the same all over the world.” He was a man of faith who served on the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Kennedy Thorne of Austin, his daughter, Ellen Thorne Skrak of Albuquerque, and his granddaughter Madeline Thorne Skrak of Albuquerque. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lansing S. Thorne, Sr., and Esther Speer Thorne, his twin brother George Clifford Thorne, MD, and his brother, Milner Speer Thorne, MD.

The family wishes to thank the physicians and staff of St. David’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, Dr. Michael Pellegrini, Buckner Hospice, and the staff at Westminster Manor Health Care Center. Special thanks go to Austin family members who have been very supportive during this difficult time—Dr. Thorne’s sister-in-law, Betty Lang Thorne, his niece, Nancy Thorne Foster, MD, and his nephew, George C. Thorne, Jr., MD.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on July 7, 2011, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Rd. Those desiring may make contributions in honor of Dr. Thorne to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd or the children’s charity of their choice.