WILLIAMSBURG — Dr. John Pitman Jr., 92, beloved husband of Helene, father of John Mathews III and grandfather of Jack, Annamaria and Bert, went home to his heavenly rest Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. Dr. Pitman was born Dec. 5, 1927, to Catherine and John Pitman Sr.
He graduated from Matthew Whaley High School in 1945, and served in the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division in World War II during the occupation of Japan following their surrender.
He attended Purdue University on a football scholarship and transferred to Duke University, where he received an A.B. Degree. He married the love of his life, Helene Weigand, who was his wife for 64 years, while he attended the College of William & Mary to complete his premedical studies. He received a medical degree at the University of Virginia and then completed residencies in general, cardiac and thoracic surgery at the prestigious New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center along with a number of the pioneers in modern American surgery.
He left a promising career in New York to return to his hometown of Williamsburg, where he practiced for 54 years. He concurrently taught medical students at the University of Virginia for 45 years as visiting faculty and was active in the American College of Surgeons, American Association of Thoracic Surgeons, Southern Surgical Society and American Trauma Society. He was an 80-year member of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church and was devoted to his family, and his patients. Known for grace under pressure and eternal optimism, his larger than life presence will be dearly missed by his wife and surviving family.
Viewing will be from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 7, at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
Share online condolences with the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
