Died April 23, 2021
Everet W. Witzel ’62 died April 23, 2021. Following medical school, he interned at Hinsdale Hospital, followed by a year at the University of Chicago starting work on a PhD in neuroanatomy. Due to his wife’s illness, the family moved back to Loma Linda where he continued his PhD work. In 1965, the family embarked on two years of service in Vellore, India. Back in Loma Linda, Dr. Witzel finished his PhD while teaching anatomy.
Later on, a family practice became available in Ukiah, California, which he quickly built to overflowing with patients. Then, Hinsdale Hospital asked Dr. Witzel to develop a family practice residency. They moved to Hinsdale in 1974, and within four years the residency was accredited. Florida Hospital then invited him to help get their residency accredited. This was accomplished in just two years. In the spring of 1980, the family attended the General Conference and Samuel L. DeShay ’59 asked if Dr. Witzel would move to Singapore to serve as health director of the Far Eastern Division—the family started packing as soon as school was out for the summer. In six years in Singapore, Dr. Witzel developed a hospital system with guidelines for the 21 hospitals and 39 clinics in the Division. He also started a monthly newsletter and set up hospital accreditation surveys to improve hospital administration, nursing care, and other departments.
When the family returned from Singapore, Dr. Witzel went into practice again. He retired in 2000 in Ridgecrest, California.
He is survived by wife, JoAn; four children; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.