Dale Fleming Webb MD

1931-2012

Dale Fleming Webb was a Yuma native, born February 5, 1931, to J. Adrian and Lucille Webb. He was the younger sibling to brother, Neal. His early childhood residence stood amidst the salt cedars at Yuma's west main canal pump house, which was then managed by his father. From that home he often rode his horse to school and all around the encompassing desert. The family eventually moved "up to the mesa' near Yuma High School - where he would graduate as a YHS Criminal in 1948.

Studies at the University of Arizona yielded a pharmacy degree. When he returned to practice, it was not long before he realized he'd rather write prescriptions than dispense them. University of Oregon's School of Medicine became the starting point of his path to Medical Doctor and the title of board certified cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon. While in Oregon he would meet an attractive and skilled operating room nurse, Lyndis Ann Lundberg, who in 1958 would become his life companion of 54 years. Together they began a journey of internships and residencies to Los Angeles County Hospital, Queen of Angeles Hospital (Los Angeles), University of Pennsylvania Graduate School fo Medicine (Philadelphia), Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit.) In the summer of 1965 they returned to Yuma and then-named Parkview Baptist Hospital to establish a medical practice with son John, six, and daughter Brenda, four, in tow.

Their Yuma house hunt landed them at their first home on east 25th Place. The bank, though, was so unsure of the need for a local chest surgeon that it required a letter from an 'older doctor' stating that this new physician would be able to make at least $10,000 annual to support the mortgage on their new $17,000 home. Dr. Charles Powell willingly obliged, and the bank complied. In July 1965 they settled in to their new home and new roots as a Yuma family.

Around the corner of their new residence was another physician, opthamologist Dr. Charlie Matheus and his wife Marilyn. Together they would become special lifelong friends.

It didn't take long before he was well on his way to earning his requisite $10,000 as he opened his practice. Small town medical practice meant not only applying his specialty but also joining the ranks of the emergency room rotation and its late night/early morning calls to service. Within the hospital he was appointed or elected to numerous leadership roles, including Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff and member of the Yuma County Hospital District Board.

As to character, he was a lifelong learner and gained a reputation as a tenacious advocate for things medical. From classroom presentations in local schools to statewide legislation advocacy, he always shared his anti-smoking concern. Advocacy of physicians' rights led to the changing of the due process offered physicians in the case of Webb v. State Arizona Board of Medical Examiners in 1999.

Apart from medicine, his passions included hunting and fishing. Opening day of dove season was not to be missed. Excursions from Alaska to Baja California to the Florida Keys found him fishing for everything from salmon to sailfish. Elk hunting often included trips to Colorado, where he eventually established a cabin on the Dolores River near Cortez where he had enjoyed summers since the 1990's.

In addition he loved Mexico, Latin America, and his continued pursuit of conversational Spanish. For their 50th anniversary the family, including his six granddaughters, traveled to Peru for an "Andes to Amazon" tour -- climbing the ruins of Macchu Picchu, parasailing the cliffs of Lima and walking the canopy of the Amazon rain forest.

His "semi-retirement" in 2005 meant more time for his avocations, but he continued to maintain his medical licensure and help with medical counsel. It was at a continuing medical education conference in San Diego on October 5, 2012 that he was called to his ultimate service by the Great Physician.

Diagnosed at age 14 with juvenile diabetes, he nevertheless maintained an active lifestyle for an extraordinary 67 additional years. At age 81 he was a walking miracle, with clear eyesight and no significant circulatory problems which plague diabetics far younger than he. Yet in the end, the disease still had taken an exacting toll on his mind and body.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, J Adrian and Lucille Webb and his brother, Neal. He is survived by his caring wife, Lyn, his son John A. Webb and wife Dianne of Orlando, FL, his daughter Brenda L. Sheets and husband Van of Dallas, TX and his six doting granddaughters, Adrien Good and husband Alan of Nashville, TN, Krissa Webb of Washington, DC, Erica Webb of Boston, MA, K. Blair Sheets of Boston, MA, Megan Sheets and Anna Sheets, both of Dallas, and niece Terrie Zukoski and husband John of Livermore, CA.

A memorial celebration and reception will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 2012 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Yuma. The reception will follow immediately at the church. Internment will be a private family affair.

The family, acknowledges it has truly been blessed by God's abundant provision. In lieu of flowers or other gifts to the family, they ask for donations to the Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center, indicating the Dale F. Webb, M.D. Nursing Scholarship Fund. This is in honor of his appreciation for the nurses and their critical role in the work of healing.

.Published in The Yuma Sun on October 12, 2012

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