Watts, Dr Campbell F, 06 Jan 1918 - 12 Dec 2007

WATTS, DALGITY MITVALSKY

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 12/15/2007 at 09:24:53

Dr. Campbell Franklin Watts, 89, of Hallmar Care Center, died there, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. A memorial mass will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at All Saints Catholic Church by the Rev. David O'Connor and the Rev. James Blocklinger. A reception will follow at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. Private family entombment will be held at Cedar Memorial Mausoleum prior to the memorial mass. Arrangements are with Cedar Memorial Funeral Home.

Dr. Watts was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Doris Jennie Watts, on Jan. 22, 2003; and his brother, Richard Watts of Ames on Jan. 6, 2003. He is survived by two children, Cheryle Watts Mitvalsky (Frank) and Campbell F. Watts, Jr. (Julie); four grandchildren, Richard Mitvalsky (Loretta) of Cedar Rapids, Franklin "Mit" Mitvalsky (Kara) of Bettendorf, Heidi Jeffery (Joseph) of Chicago, and Amy Pettit (Stephen) of West Des Moines; and nine great-grandchildren, Campbell Mitvalsky, Sydney Mitvalsky, Sam Mitvalsky, Noah Mitvalsky, Jacob Mitvalsky, Madeline Jeffery, Audrey Jeffery, Max Pettit and Jack Pettit.

Campbell Watts was born Jan. 6, 1918, in Millersburg, Iowa, to Dr. Clyde Franklin Watts and Ruby Isabelle Livingston Dalgity. After graduating from Williamsburg High School in 1936, he attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in 1939. Campbell graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1943, first in his class. It was during medical school when he met his wife, Doris, on a blind date dancing at the Mayflower Club. Doris and Cam married Aug. 22, 1942, in Cedar Rapids.

In 1944, Campbell completed his general rotating internship at Albany General Hospital in Albany, New York, and in 1948 he completed his surgical residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. While at the Mayo Clinic, he published two scientific papers. The Mayo Clinic offered him a staff position in Surgical Pathology, but he elected to continue with a career in general surgery. He earned his Master's Degree in surgery from the University of Minnesota in 1948. In July of 1948, he returned with Doris to Cedar Rapids where he began his surgical practice, becoming the first Cedar Rapids physician to receive certification by the American Board of Surgery. At that time, he and his partner, Dr. Robert Netolicky, established the largest surgical practice in the state of Iowa.

During the 36 years of his practice, Campbell emerged as a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. He was a part-time clinical instructor, and he lectured in the Cedar Rapids hospitals' education and residency program. He retired from his medical practice in December 1984.

Campbell's work fully absorbed his energies and fulfilled his greatest ambitions. In 1957 Campbell served as President of the Mercy Hospital Medical Staff. It was during this time that the internship program needed to attract young physicians. Under Campbell's leadership a proposal was drafted for the American Medical Association to approve restructuring the internship program emphasizing recruitment, teaching agendas and scheduled lectures. The American Medical Association approved the proposal and the program eventually became the largest in the community. Subsequently St. Luke's Hospital and Mercy Medical Center merged their internship programs. He personally supported the program by lecturing every Friday and was joined by other medical specialists to provide educational seminars five days a week.

Campbell was elected president of the Linn County Medical Society in 1968, president of St. Luke's Hospital Medical Staff in 1973 and president of the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society in 1975. In addition, he was a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, American Medical Association, Priestly Society and Mayo Alumni Association. In 1985, Campbell received the Cedar Rapids Educational Program's Teacher of the Year Award, as well as the St. Luke's Hospital Founders Award for significant impact and leadership in health care for Eastern Iowans. In 1992, he was the first recipient of the Mercy Medical Center Gold Headed Cane Medical Laureate Award, signifying medical excellence and leadership. Campbell and his wife gave generously to Mercy Medical Center and, in November 2003, they were honored with the dedication and opening of the Campbell F. Watts and Doris J. Watts Medical Library at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

Following retirement, he authored two published books, Malpractice Defense: Breast Cancer in 1990 and Defending the Breast Cancer Malpractice Case in 1994, which he co-authored with his close friend, attorney David M. Elderkin. He also continued extensive research, writing and lecturing on aspects of cancer, in particular the biology and natural history of breast cancer. His specific interest involved cellular and molecular factors that influence the aggressiveness of malignancies of the breast. He most enjoyed teaching and was actively engaged in presentations and lectures. He authored and co-authored numerous articles on cancer with columnist Shirley Ruedy for the Cancer Update in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Each October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Gazette features their article on " Breast Cancer: A Life Journey."

Campbell's hobbies ranged from steam boat building and wood duck carving to sailing and reading. He was an enthusiastic tennis player, playing until he was 80. He loved photography and raising tuberous begonias, which he cultivated while spending his summers in Door County, Wis. Award winning photographs of his begonias were a source of pride.

The greatest joy in life was his family, and his love, devotion, companionship and guidance will be greatly missed. He was our best friend and advocate, always interested in what we were doing and showing enormous pride. His positive "can do" attitude leaves a great legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Dr. Campbell F. and Doris J. Watts Library Endowment Fund at Mercy Medical Center Foundation, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 or to the Campbell F. and Doris J. Watts Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund at the Kirkwood Foundation, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

The family wishes to thank the special people who cared for Dad, including the staff at Hallmar and his personal caregivers, Krista, Nita, Leslie, Melissa and Sandra. They gave him dignity, respect and affection during his illness with Parkinson's disease.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, 13 Dec 2007, 8b