ORRINGTON – John D. West III, M.D., 52, died unexpectedly Sept. 9, 2009, at his home. He was born May 1, 1957, in Pittsburgh, the son of John D. West Jr. and Louise Hall West. John graduated from Bangor High School in 1975, Dartmouth College in 1979 and Dartmouth Medical School in 1987. He did his surgical residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Orthopedic Surgery Residency at University of Washington, practiced orthopedic surgery at Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital, and was the team orthopedic surgeon for the University of Maine from 1993 to present. John was an excellent surgeon who cared deeply about his patients. He was also an outstanding skier, hiker, fly-fisherman and extremely proud of his two sons, Drew and Geoff; and his wife, Stephanie. He shared with them his love of the outdoors, especially the peace and beauty of Moosehead Lake. He was a perfectionist who insisted that the lawn be mowed just right and the haircuts not too long. And he enjoyed family adventures, including a walk several years ago across England. John’s curiosity and lifelong interest in athletics, history, natural science and the world around him, made him a vibrant conversationalist. During medical school he was know to steal pumpkins from friends and always found a way to snag the biggest chocolate chip cookie. John used his hands, whether fixing a fractured bone, building a woodshed or grilling the perfect steak. He is very deeply missed by his family, his many good friends and his patients. He is survived by his mother, Louise West of Rumford, R.I.; his wife, Stephanie Lash of Orrington; two sons, Andrew and Geoffrey West, both of Orrington; and three brothers, David West of Hampton Falls, N.H., Richard West of Atlanta, and Bill West of Barrington, R.I. He was predeceased by his father, John D. West Jr. A service of remembrance will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor, with the Rev. Renee U. Garrett, M. Div., minister of Christian nurture, officiating. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Natural Resources Council of Maine, 3 Wade St., Augusta, ME 04330 or www.nrcm.org. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.
JOHN D. WEST III, M.D.
