Obituary for Edwin W. Whiteford, Jr., M.D.
.Dr. Edwin W. Whiteford, Jr. died peacefully on December 16th, 2020 in Bel Air, he was 89 years old. He was born on June 13, 1931, at his ancestral farm home in Whiteford, Maryland, the son of the late Edwin W. Whiteford, Sr. and Gretha Burkins Whiteford. He was the seventh generation of a colonial family that migrated to the area from Scotland in the early 17th century. He was quite proud of his Scottish heritage and made trips back to Scotland, specifically the lands of Whitefoord in southern Scotland.
He spent his early years on the family farm helping with the dairy cows and crops. He graduated from Slate Ridge High School in 1948 and attended the University of Maryland - College Park graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his second lieutenant commission after completing Air Force ROTC at the college. While there he was an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and Scabbard and Blade National Honorary Military Society. He then attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he graduated in 1956 Magna cum laude receiving his medical degree. While there he was a member of a prestigious honor society that had its origins at the beginning of the school. In June 1956 he married Regina Novak. They had two children, John and Judi, and shared their life until her death in 1993.
After graduation, Dr. Whiteford went on active duty with the USAF. He was assigned to Valley Forge Army Hospital for his internship, following which he attended the School of Aerospace Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base. After graduation, he was assigned to Air System Command, a new position as Chief of Aviation Medicine. This assignment was achieved since he was fluent in German and read Russian. Dr. Whiteford was involved with the early space program, astronauts, and scientists. Although assigned to Malcolm Grow AFB he traveled extensively.
After discharge from the Air Force, he established a family practice in Whiteford, Maryland, and was quite active in the County Medical Society and State Academy of Family Physicians. He remained in the Air Force reserve and later joined the District Columbia National Guard -113th TFG and held the position of Group Flight Surgeon. In January 1969 he was recalled to active duty and assigned to the 10th Casualty Staging Hospital at Andrews AFB. He cared for Vietnam casualties upon their arrival in the United States and assigned them to treatment facilities. Ladybird Johnson and Muriel Humphreys were frequent visitors.
After released from active duty in 1972 he moved his family to Tempe, Arizona where he established a primary care practice and was consulting Medical Director for Western Electric and Air Research Garrett Industries in Phoenix. He also taught courses to paramedics and the local Native Americans. During this period he became an avid Gold Wing motorcyclist and a flight surgeon for the Arizona National Guard.
In 1980 he moved his family back to Bel Air after accepting an offer made by the Chessie System Railroad to establish a modern occupational medical program. In 1982 he accepted a position with Lockheed Martin to be the Medical Director, a position he retired from. During this period, he was elected President of the State Occupational Medical Association, a position he held for 6 years. He transferred from the Arizona Air Guard to the Maryland Air National Guard. He became Medical Squadron Commander, was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and later became State Air Surgeon, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Col Whiteford retired as a Command Flight Surgeon, having passed the Air Force exam for this rating and achieving over 10,000 flight hours. Col. Whiteford received many awards commendations during his 37-year tenure with the Air Force. Settling down a bit but remaining active, Dr. Whiteford accepted a position as Medical Director for the Physician Assistant Program at Essex Community College. He loved lecturing medicine and did this until his retirement in 2005.
After retirement Dr. Whiteford lived with his son and family, in an adjoining apartment in Bel Air, enjoying his grandchildren, pets, and an extensive library of books. He moved to Lorien Assisted Living in 2018 where he quickly became the Resident Representative and was well-loved and respected by everyone. He enjoyed joking with the staff, going to activities, and made many friends.
Dr. Whiteford leaves his son John, daughter-in-law Tammy and their three children, Jake, Andrea, and Megan; his daughter Judi, husband Forrest Walker, and children Jody, Zachary, Michael, Riley and Katherine Mayo and her husband Kenny and their children Caroline, Asher, Mason, and Aubrey.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connolly Rd., Fallston, MD 21047, or harfordshelter.org would be appreciated.
He spent his early years on the family farm helping with the dairy cows and crops. He graduated from Slate Ridge High School in 1948 and attended the University of Maryland - College Park graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his second lieutenant commission after completing Air Force ROTC at the college. While there he was an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and Scabbard and Blade National Honorary Military Society. He then attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he graduated in 1956 Magna cum laude receiving his medical degree. While there he was a member of a prestigious honor society that had its origins at the beginning of the school. In June 1956 he married Regina Novak. They had two children, John and Judi, and shared their life until her death in 1993.
After graduation, Dr. Whiteford went on active duty with the USAF. He was assigned to Valley Forge Army Hospital for his internship, following which he attended the School of Aerospace Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base. After graduation, he was assigned to Air System Command, a new position as Chief of Aviation Medicine. This assignment was achieved since he was fluent in German and read Russian. Dr. Whiteford was involved with the early space program, astronauts, and scientists. Although assigned to Malcolm Grow AFB he traveled extensively.
After discharge from the Air Force, he established a family practice in Whiteford, Maryland, and was quite active in the County Medical Society and State Academy of Family Physicians. He remained in the Air Force reserve and later joined the District Columbia National Guard -113th TFG and held the position of Group Flight Surgeon. In January 1969 he was recalled to active duty and assigned to the 10th Casualty Staging Hospital at Andrews AFB. He cared for Vietnam casualties upon their arrival in the United States and assigned them to treatment facilities. Ladybird Johnson and Muriel Humphreys were frequent visitors.
After released from active duty in 1972 he moved his family to Tempe, Arizona where he established a primary care practice and was consulting Medical Director for Western Electric and Air Research Garrett Industries in Phoenix. He also taught courses to paramedics and the local Native Americans. During this period he became an avid Gold Wing motorcyclist and a flight surgeon for the Arizona National Guard.
In 1980 he moved his family back to Bel Air after accepting an offer made by the Chessie System Railroad to establish a modern occupational medical program. In 1982 he accepted a position with Lockheed Martin to be the Medical Director, a position he retired from. During this period, he was elected President of the State Occupational Medical Association, a position he held for 6 years. He transferred from the Arizona Air Guard to the Maryland Air National Guard. He became Medical Squadron Commander, was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and later became State Air Surgeon, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Col Whiteford retired as a Command Flight Surgeon, having passed the Air Force exam for this rating and achieving over 10,000 flight hours. Col. Whiteford received many awards commendations during his 37-year tenure with the Air Force. Settling down a bit but remaining active, Dr. Whiteford accepted a position as Medical Director for the Physician Assistant Program at Essex Community College. He loved lecturing medicine and did this until his retirement in 2005.
After retirement Dr. Whiteford lived with his son and family, in an adjoining apartment in Bel Air, enjoying his grandchildren, pets, and an extensive library of books. He moved to Lorien Assisted Living in 2018 where he quickly became the Resident Representative and was well-loved and respected by everyone. He enjoyed joking with the staff, going to activities, and made many friends.
Dr. Whiteford leaves his son John, daughter-in-law Tammy and their three children, Jake, Andrea, and Megan; his daughter Judi, husband Forrest Walker, and children Jody, Zachary, Michael, Riley and Katherine Mayo and her husband Kenny and their children Caroline, Asher, Mason, and Aubrey.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connolly Rd., Fallston, MD 21047, or harfordshelter.org would be appreciated.