Ronald Howell Underwood M.D.

He joined the United States Navy upon graduation from high school, became a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marines and was inspired to become a physician. He attended Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. In 1968, he completed his internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City and remained there until 1969 for his medical residency. In 1970, he completed his residency at Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Dallas where he completed his cardiology fellowship in 1971.

He has served as Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School of Dallas since 1972. He also has served as Associate Director of the Department of Cardiology for the Cardiopulmonary Institute at Methodist Hospital of Dallas. In 1980 he began a private practice in cardiology at Medical City Dallas Hospital where he later founded The Dallas Heart Group. In addition, he served as Chief of Medicine, Director of the Department of Cardiology and was involved in the establishment of The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. Dr. Underwood was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians, as well as a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association and past president of the American Heart Association in Dallas. With frequent presentations and numerous publications to his name, his dedication to education and service within the medical community was renowned.

The many challenges Dr. Underwood faced with his own health instilled in him a profound capacity for compassion and empathy for his patients whom he truly loved. The family would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to all of the doctors, nurses and staff of the hospitals for their devoted care and support through the years.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan Billups Underwood; daughter, Anna Underwood Small and husband Dr. Andrew Buchanan Small IV of Dallas; daughter, Catherine Evan Underwood of Dallas; granddaughters, Annabelle Carleton Small and Sarah Margaret Small; mother-in-law, Betty Wilder Billups of Dallas; brother-in-law, Thomas Carleton Billups V and wife Debra Huchel Billups of Columbus, MS and Washington, DC; niece, Cameron Billups Peden and husband Andrew Joseph Peden of Arlington, VA; great nephew, Thomas Joseph Peden of Arlington, VA. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert J. Underwood and Catherine Howell Underwood of San Antonio; and father-in-law, Thomas Carleton Billups IV of Columbus, MS.

Memorial services will be held in Dallas on September 4, 2013, at 1:30 PM at Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, Texas.

If desired, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice.