Harry L. Wherry

Dr. Harry L. Wherry, a long time family physician in Longmont, died at Life Care Center of Longmont on June 29, 2007. He was 88. Harry was born August 9, 1918 in Emporia, Kansas, to Lloyd and Julia (Herold) Wherry. He grew up in Sabetha, Kansas, where he was active in scouting and excelled in academics and athletics.Harry attended Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois on a football scholarship, majoring in English Literature. His father died shortly after he completed his Bachelor?s degree and he returned home to run his family?s lumberyard. He attended the University of Kansas where he earned a Medical Degree. Dr. Wherry moved to Colorado when the Army assigned him to head the tuberculosis ward at Fitzsimmons Hospital. He completed his residency and earned a Masters of Science at the University of Colorado.Harry moved to Longmont in 1950 and purchased Dr. Willard White?s practice. Dr. Wherry practiced general medicine and in the early years of his practice did much of Longmont?s pathology and orthopedic surgery. He practiced medicine in Longmont for 54 years; his son, Patrick, joined the practice in 1982. The family?s interest in medicine continues as Harry?s grandson, Sean, and his wife, Trina, are also physicians.In the late 1950s, Dr. Wherry was instrumental in the development and eventual construction of the Longmont Hospital. Serving as the first Chief of Staff of what would become Longmont United Hospital, he saw the need for a modern facility, which served the community as a whole. Retiring in 2004, he was proud to have overseen 2000 births and cared for families through four generations.Dr. Wherry was a representative for the Boulder County Medical Society and served as a delegate to the Colorado State Medical Society for a number of years. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, a fellow of the International College of Surgeons and served on the board that created the Colorado Mental Health Association.Among his many activities, he served as the Doctor to the Longmont High School football team and received a lifetime service award from the Colorado High School Athletic Association. He promoted scouting for many years and received the Silver Beaver Award for lifetime achievement. One of Harry?s greatest passions was travel. He was not only interested in the destination, but also in the people and their cultures. He viewed travel as an education and as a way to continue his lifelong love of learning.Dr. Wherry married Elda Mae Strahm in 1942, and Beverly Simms in 1966; both marriages ended in divorce. He married Sharon Stewart Cary on June 25, 1977 in Longmont.Dr. Wherry was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Tom and Dick Wherry. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Longmont; a daughter, Suzanne Roen of Seattle; two sons, Michael James Wherry of Colorado Springs, and Patrick Lloyd Wherry and his wife, Janice, of Longmont.Dr. Wherry is also survived by grandchildren; Sean (Trina) Wherry of Alexandria, VA; Bregan Wherry of New York; Shannon Wherry of Minneapolis; Graham Roen and Carson Roen, both of Seattle; sister-in-law Betty Wherry of Lee Summit, MO; step children: Christene Cary of Ft.Lupton; Brett (Kate) Cary of Orchard, CO; Anne (Jerry) McKenna of Boulder; Bob (Karen) Simms of Longmont; fourteen grandchildren: Crystal Cary of Longmont; Caleb, Emily, Rachel, Leah, and Ethan Cary of Orchard; Elizabeth (Craig) Olsen of Houston, TX; Nicholas (Tobe) Miller and Asher Miller of Longmont; and four great-grandchildren.At Dr. Wherry?s request, his body has been donated to science.A celebration of Dr. Wherry?s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 5, 2007 at Howe Mortuary, Longmont. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Longmont United Hospital Foundation, 1380 Tulip St., Ste. A, Longmont, CO 80501 or Boy Scouts of American, Longs Peak Council, P.O. Box 1166, Greeley, CO 80632.Please share thoughts, memories and condolences with Dr. Wherry?s family at www.howemortuary.com.