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PHILIP L. POFFENBARGER of Dickinson, Texas passed away peacefully on the 17th of January 2020 into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Known to thousands as “Dr. Poff” in the Bay Area, Dr Poff passed peacefully after his battle with Agent Orange exposure induced cancer. Poff was comforted by his wife, family, and friends throughout the final week of his life.
Dr. Poff was born in Lafayette, Indiana on October 13th, 1937 to Valentine and Lillian Poffenbarger. Dr. Poff graduated from Monon High School on May 19, 1955. Poff continued his education at Indiana University. Poff...
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PHILIP L. POFFENBARGER of Dickinson, Texas passed away peacefully on the 17th of January 2020 into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Known to thousands as “Dr. Poff” in the Bay Area, Dr Poff passed peacefully after his battle with Agent Orange exposure induced cancer. Poff was comforted by his wife, family, and friends throughout the final week of his life.
Dr. Poff was born in Lafayette, Indiana on October 13th, 1937 to Valentine and Lillian Poffenbarger. Dr. Poff graduated from Monon High School on May 19, 1955. Poff continued his education at Indiana University. Poff played basketball at Indiana University for the Hoosiers for one year. Torn to make a hard decision about his love for basketball and Medicine, Poff decided to focus all of his attention towards medicine. Poff graduated from Indiana University in 1959 and completed his Master’s degree in Science in 1963. Poff was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 1964. Poff transferred to the University of Washington to do his Internship from 1963 to 1964 and served as an assistant resident in medicine and research as a Fellow in Endocrinology and Metabolism, and graduated in 1966.
In 1967, Poff was drafted into the army as a Captain. While serving for a year in Vietnam, Dr. Poffenbarger set up tuberculosis clinics throughout the villages in the Mekong Delta and treated our soldiers. Dr. Poff even delivered a few babies, one delivered in a Helicopter which was named, Lynn after Dr. Poffenbarger . Captain Poffenbarger was awarded 2 bronze medals for his service during the Tet Offensive in Saigon, Vietnam and was awarded by the Vietnam government in the field of Health as a Medical Officer of the 9th Division U.S. Army Dong Tam field Hospital. Dr. Poff returned from Vietnam in 1968 and continued his medical career at Harvard University Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Massachusetts as a Research Fellow in Medicine and was awarded NIH Fellowship at Harvard. Dr. Poff accepted an offer to complete his professorship at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Texas. Dr. Poff was an endowed professor and Chief Director of Endocrinology. Dr. Poffenbarger published over 51 scientific papers on the subject of Diabetes. After his 22 year career at UTMB, Dr. Poff went to Private practice in 1990 in Webster, Texas until 2004. He took a leave due to health in 2004 when the Agent Orange Exposure from Vietnam began to present numerous health problems. In 2006 to 2008 Dr. Poffenbarger took a part time position to help Diabetes of American establish their clinics in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Poff was described by many students as the best teacher they ever sat under. Poff had a passion to teach his students and help his patients to become their own best doctor.
Dr. Poff was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister: Valentine Poffenbarger, Lillian Howell, Carol Pherson and his beloved loyal dog Tootsie. Dr. Poff is survived by his service dog Max of 12 years, his wife Joan Poffenbarger, and his six children: Tim Poffenbarger of Houston, TX, Mark Poffenbarger of Seattle, Washington, Christine Henderson of Caddo, Texas, Betty Poffenbarger of Port Angeles, Washington, Dr. Jeffrey Poffenbarger of Cody, Washington, Toner Eren Poffenbarger of Seattle, Washington and his 4 stepchildren: Mike Williams of Houston, Texas, Carla Williams Davis of Dickinson ,Texas , Dusty Williams and Chase Williams of San Leon Texas. Dr. Poff is also survived by his sister Kay Farmer of Franklin, Tennessee.
Known to his grandchildren as “Grandpa Poffy” he leaves 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Poff had a passion for aviation and hand built to scale radio-controlled planes to honor WWII pilots. Dr. Poffenbarger flew in R.C. competition throughout the United States for many years and was a member of Aeronautical Aviation as well as a local chapter, Texas City Radio Control club for many years.
Friends are cordially invited to join with the family to honor Captain Phillip Poffenbarger M.D. at the National Veterans Cemetery of Houston for his military honors and life celebration. The service will be on the 7th day of February, 2020 at 1:15 pm. Please arrive by 12:45 pm and line up in line 2. We will be escorted at 1pm to the grave site. Veterans National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77038
In lieu of customary remembrances a memorial donation may be given, in Dr. Phillip Poffenbarger name to: Carpenter's House Church in La Marque, Texas to help support the Bible College and teachings of God's word. The Church's address is 3500 Gulf Fwy, La Marque, Texas 77568.
Dr. Poff will gravely be missed but never forgotten by his wife, family, and friends. His memories are left with each one who knew him and will live on with us forever. |
