Frank Russell Reynolds, M.D.

Dr. Frank Russell Reynolds, 97, died Saturday August 5, 2017 at his home in Wilmington, NC following a brief illness. Frank was born June 15, 1920 in Wilmington, NC, the son of Katharine Russell and Benjamin Bradford Reynolds. He grew up in Wilmington and was a graduate of UNC and the then two year UNC School of Medicine. He completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and served pediatric internship, residency and fellowships at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and James Walker Hospital in Wilmington. He served in the US Army during WWII. He returned to Wilmington in 1950 opening a private pediatric practice from which he retired in 1996.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marguerite Crow Reynolds, a brother Benjamin Bradford Reynolds, Jr, and sisters Jane Reynolds Wilson and Mary Bonner Reynolds Kruse. He was also preceded in death by two granddaughters, Emma Hayward Miars and Katharine “Katie” Russell Reynolds and a great granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Reynolds.

He is survived by his children, Frank Russell Reynolds, Jr., (Keith), Marguerite “Margo” Reynolds Miars (George) of Wilmington, Fairfax Crow Reynolds (Ann) of Burlington and Lindsay Reynolds Jones (Bill) of Charlotte. Also surviving are six grandchildren: George Trask Miars, Jr. (Katie), Frank Reynolds Miars (Amanda), Elizabeth Reynolds Sheats (Livingston), Heath Reynolds Beasley (Scott), Randolph Fairfax Reynolds (Jenny) and Edward Finley Reynolds (Cameron) as well as eleven great grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his chihuahua Princess the final in a line of seven chihuahuas dating back to the 1950’s.

When Dr. Frank, as many of his patients knew him, opened his practice he became only the sixth pediatrician in Wilmington. He was revered for his high quality, compassionate care to children throughout the community.  He found great joy in his relationship with his patients and with his medical colleagues. He was a former president and lifetime member of the New Hanover County Medical Society attending meetings well into his 90’s. He served as Chief of Staff for all four area hospitals. He was a pioneer in quality medical care to southeastern North Carolina. He believed in making health care available to all children championing free immunizations and the role of local health departments during his career. The clinic at the New Hanover County Health Department bears his name. He was a leader in developing the state’s Area Health Education Center program linking the UNC Medical School to community hospitals. He served as President of the North Carolina Medical Society and was a founding Board Member and President of NC Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Company. He was Board Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a North Carolina Delegate to the AMA for many years. As a lifelong passionate Tar Heel he was particularly proud of receiving the UNC Chapel Hill Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992. Additionally he was honored with the Glaxo Wellcome Child Health Recognition Award, UNCW Distinguished Service Award and Wilmington Star News Lifetime Achievement Award. He served as director of Carolina Savings & Loan Association and BB&T. Frank treasured the friendships developed over many years as a longtime member in the Wilmington Civitan Club, Cape Fear Country Club, Carolina Yacht Club, Surf Club and L’Ariosa German Club. Big Frank loved his extended family well and will always be remembered by them for his love of Marguerite, the Tar Heels, chihuahuas, Sun Drop, 5:30 cocktails on the porch at Wrightsville Beach, wine with ice, hunting, fishing, fresh corn, and Ford Crown Victorias.

The family would like to give sincere thanks to his very special caregivers Diane Canty, Tammy Montgomery, Doretha Nelson, Loretta Herriott and Stephanie Bridgers.

Frank was a lifelong member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington where a memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday August 9. The family will receive friends in Gilmore Hall following the service. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Friends of Oakdale, 520 N. 15th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.