Henry Curtis Mostellar Jr.

Henry was born July 10, 1930 in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated Valedictorian from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1948. He matriculated at Duke University obtaining a BS in chemistry in 1952 followed by his MD degree from Duke in 1956. While at Duke Hospital, he met his future bride, Mary Penelope Bishop, and they were married on June 17, 1955. After a year internship, Henry started his neurosurgical residency at Duke. His residency was interrupted by a two year stint in the US Air Corp as a Flight Surgeon stationed at Moore Air Base, Mission, Texas. After satisfying his service obligation, he resumed his Neurosurgical Residency and Fellowship at the Ochsner Tulane Program in New Orleans, La. from 1959-1963. During the final year of his training, he was the only neurosurgical resident in one of the largest hospitals in the country, performing 787 operations in one year. He then joined a private practice in Mobile where he practiced until his retirement in 2000.

Learning was Henry’s passion, which was nurtured by his mother, who was a natural teacher. That passion was passed on to his children and grandchildren. He studied and enjoyed numerous hobbies including classical music, playing the trumpet and piano, photography, woodworking, and marksmanship. One rarely saw him without a book close at hand to satisfy his curiosity. Henry was also an avid outdoorsman with an adventurous spirit. He loved playing tennis, hunting, fishing, boating, shooting sporting clays, and traveling abroad. He enthusiastically embraced the internet age sending countless emails to his children and grandchildren. The family is convinced that he has the world record for the largest number of complicated passwords. Precision and perfection were at the very core of everything that he pursued. Until his death, he continued to be very active at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, his church family since 1944. He was treasurer for many years of his Sunday School class, The Faith Development Class. Henry was also involved in many civic and community organizations.

Henry’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. His affable and gregarious spirit, along with his cheery smile and sparkle, will be greatly missed. He was known to make a rhyme, from time to time. Memories were important to Henry and Mary and they nurtured this with numerous family outings and gatherings.

Henry was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou Boone Mostellar, and his father, Henry Curtis Mostellar, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Bishop Mostellar; four sons: Curt (Marti) of New Bern, NC; Wayne (Virginia) of Mobile, AL; Jeff (Kris) of Denver, CO; Tide (Amy) of Roswell, GA and one daughter: Carrie (Woody Kennedy) of Chattanooga, TN. Twelve grandchildren: Curtis (Ellen) of Shreveport, LA; Jennie of Charlotte, NC; Bishop of Birmingham, AL; Murphy and Carly of Mobile, AL; Mary Davis and Lydia of Chattanooga, TN; Jaimi and Randi of Denver, CO and Ben, Choice and Murphy of Roswell, GA.

He is also survived by his brother, John, and his wife, Phyllis, of Mobile as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom he loved very much.

A memorial service of celebration will be held at noon, Monday, June 22, 2015 at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends and family prior to the service at 10:30 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, the Music Ministry or the Dill Lecture Series (1507 Dauphin Street Mobile, Alabama 36604), The American Heart Association (2029 B Airport Boulevard Box 235 Mobile, Alabama 36609), or the charity of your choice.

If you are so moved, the children and grandchildren would like for you to join them in a toast to Henry with your favorite single malt. Here’s to a life well lived.

Arrangements made by Radney Funeral Homes.