Lloyd Raymond Hershberger MD

July 20, 1911-December 4, 2010

Lloyd Raymond Hershberger, M.D. passed away on December 4, 2010 at age 99. He was born on July 20, 1911. His parents were Christian E. Hershberger and Esta M. Hershberger. Memorial Services and inurnment will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, officiated by Dr. Hershberger’s long time friend, The Reverend Robert B. Hedges and the Reverend Allen Conkling. A reception will follow the services. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson’s Funeral Home.

Although his birth occurred in the State of Michigan, he was raised in the Amish Mennonite community of Kalona, Iowa. He grew up in a family of seven. Interestingly, five of these had doctorates: three in medicine, one in electrical engineering, and one in chemistry. Dr. Hershberger graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Iowa in 1938. His post-graduate training was in the field of Pathology. It culminated in his appointment to the Department of Pathology at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After World War II and his involvement in developing a treatment for malaria, Dr. Hershberger wanted to start a private practice in Pathology. Through family and friends, he became aware of an opening at Shannon Hospital and moved his family to San Angelo in 1946. At the time, he became the only board-certified Pathologist in West Texas. This extended from Fort Worth to El Paso and Lubbock to San Antonio.

One of Dr. Hershberger’s first challenges in San Angelo was the polio epidemic of 1949 and his efforts enabled the diagnosis of those afflicted by the disease. Later, in 1956 the Salk vaccine became available to prevent polio. As President of the local medical society, Dr. Hershberger worked with the school board to provide the vaccine to children in the community at no cost.

In addition, in 1952 Dr. Hershberger was instrumental in forming the first independent Blood Bank in San Angelo that is now known as the United Blood Services.

In public services, Dr. Hershberger served on committees appointed by the Governor. In 1961, Governor Price Daniel appointed him to the Radiation Advisory Board. This appointment was renewed in 1967 by Governor John Connally and in 1970 by Governor Preston Smith. He also served on the Governor’s Committee on Aging under Governor Connally.

As a reflection of the esteem with which he was held by his peers, in 1986 Dr. Hershberger was given the Caldwell Award as the “Pathologist of the Year” in the State of Texas.

Dr. Hershberger also had a dedication to Church work. He was active as a Sunday-school teacher and with the choir at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. In addition, with the encouragement of the Bishop of the Diocese of N.W. Texas, he and two other laymen, Armie Rust and Henry Charless, purchased land where the Episcopal Church of the Good Sheppard is now located. He served as Bishop’s Warden until the mission was self-supporting and became a Parish. He later returned to Emmanuel as an active member.

Dr. Hershberger was also active in the community, lending his support to the Salvation Army and the United Fund.

Dr. Hershberger married Harriett Williams Cowell in July 1944 and she passed away in July 1970. Survivors are their son, Chris Hershberger and wife Judy, of Houston, Texas, and stepson Richard Cowell and wife, Pricilla, of Portland, Oregon. His grandchildren are Rick Hershberger, M.D. and wife, Jennifer Blumetti, M.D., of Chicago, Illinois, Matt Hershberger and wife, Julie, of Houston, Texas, and April Philp and husband, Roy, of Beaumont, Texas, as well as Christopher Cowell-Shah and wife, Kinnari, of Portland, Oregon and Nicholas Cowell and wife Elizabeth, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. His great-grandchildren are Jenna, Will, Hannah, and Hunter Hershberger, and Soren and Kirin Cowell-Shah.

Dr. Hershberger married Gayle Robertson in May 1972 and she survives him. There are two stepdaughters of this marriage, Margo Templeton and husband, Rodney, of Saratoga, California, and Jane Blanch of Minneapolis, Minnesota and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In his sunset years, he enjoyed seeing the success of his children and grandchildren in the business and education worlds and the healthcare professions.

The family wishes to extend special gratitude to Luz Serrano for her love and care of Dr. Hershberger, as well as the care provided by the staff of Trisun Care Center Meadow Creek.

The family suggests contributions in Dr. Hershberger’s memory be made to The Elevator Fund at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 S. Randolph, San Angelo, Texas, 76903.Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.