Wilmot Frederick Ploger

With dignity, courage and unwavering faith, prominent New Orleans physician, Wilmot "Wil" Frederick Ploger died at home surrounded by his family on October 10, 2014, following a long illness. As a native New Orleanean, Wil attended St. Anthony Elementary, graduated from St. Aloysius High School, received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University and graduated from Louisiana State University Medical School. He also attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, MS, in Microbiology, wherein he met and married a sassy redheaded nurse from Greenville, the former Jeanette Cochran. Wil completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery in 1967 at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, also completing a fellowship in Orthopedics in Toronto, Canada. He was a Fellow for the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, member of the Louisiana State Orthopedics Society, Orleans Medical society, and Greater New Orleans Orthopedic Society. He is past president of Mercy Hospital and served on the Board of Trustees at Mercy Hospital. He was also on staff at Montelepre Hospital, Chalmette General Hospital and East Jefferson Medical Center. In addition, he served as a surgeon during the Vietnam War in a MASH unit and later stateside at Ft. Devens, MA. Wil was an accomplished surgeon, an amazing husband and father and a treasured friend to many. To say he was a man of few words, is an understatement, Wil possessed a quick wit and was fast with a clever comeback. When asked, he would share his knowledge and carefully formed opinions. He was an avid reader, a huge fan of Major League Baseball (especially the Boston Red Sox), loved a good red wine or a single malt scotch and solving the world's problems w his friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Jeanette Cochran Ploger, three daughters, Tracie Ploger Mouton, Leslie Ploger Clement, spouse, Rich Clement, and Sherrie Ploger Short, spouse, Stephen Short. Six grandchildren, Abby Short, Noah Mouton, Jacob Mouton, Patrick Short, Mary Elizabeth Clement and Camille Clement. Also survived by his "adopted” daughter, Elizabeth Cochran Gonzales, spouse, Jay Gonzales and "official first grandchild" Corey Gonzales. Special thanks to Lee Roy Morgan, M.D., for his unwavering support to Wil and family. Also a special thanks to Heart of Hospice and Adrienne, R.N. for their tender care and compassion. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass at St. Matthew The Apostle Church, 10021 Jefferson Hwy. River Ridge, La. on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the church from 11:00 a.m. until mass time. Interment will be private. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.