OBIT: William “Doc” Harrison Pitts, MD (Kittanning)

William “Doc” Harrison Pitts, MD, 91, of Kittanning, died Sunday, October 26, 2014 at his residence.

He was born August 2, 1923 – part of the Greatest Generation - to Edna Mae (Cummings) and Levi Harrison Pitts in Mt. Jackson, Pa.

As a teenager, he and his mother cared for an uncle who had terminal cancer. This uncle had a farm and upon this uncle’s passing, the family left the farm to William in appreciation for the care he gave. William would eventually sell the farm as partial payment for his medical education.

Along with farming, he worked as a grinder, a steel mill laborer, and even shoveled dynamite prior to college. He studied at Geneva College for a year.

He then entered into active service in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class. He was honorably discharged having received a Good Conduct Ribbon, an American Theater Ribbon and a Victory Metal. He returned to Geneva College for another year. Much to his surprise, William was accepted to the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine prior to his graduation from Geneva.

The day after his graduation, he said, “I was in the best profession there is. Here I was a little kid from Mt. Jackson. How lucky I was.” He practiced old school medicine where he accepted patients in his home on an emergency basis and went on house calls – selflessly sacrificing his private life for the sake of his patients. It is unknown how many babies he delivered and it is speculated that it is in the thousands. At times he treated great-grand children of original patients.

When asked about his style of practice, William said “I talk to my patients. When there is no communication, things don’t work.” He never viewed medicine as a job. It was his lifestyle.

One of his favorite memories of medical school was attending cutting edge lectures in Virology by Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine. William graduated in the Class of ‘51 from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School and immediately entered the profession as a General Practitioner in Rural Valley. He retired in 1996 having served the community for 45 years.

William was granted an honorary college degree by Geneva College in 2000.

He was married to Martha Jane (Smith) Pitts on June 2, 1951 and was happily married 55 years.

William was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon in the Rural Valley Presbyterian Church.

Enjoying life to its fullest, William also was a very active sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, golfing, breeding/training bird dogs and gardening.

He will be remembered for his dedicated, compassionate style of medicine, as an avid sportsman, and as a happy, patient, loving father and husband.

William is survived by his three loving children: Ronald, Phyllis and David.

He is predeceased by his wife, Martha; son Keith; and five siblings: John, Louise, Donald, Harold and Eleanor.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9PM t0day - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - at the Carson/Boyer Funeral Home in Rural Valley.

A funeral service will be at 11AM tomorrow - Thursday, October 30, 2014 - at the NuValley Presbyterian Church in Rural Valley with Rev. Bruce Shannon officiating.

Burial will take place in Rural Valley Cemetery.