David Ross Foreman, MD, Capt., USN Ret.
Published 12:00 am Monday, August 29, 2005
Dr. David Ross Foreman was born in Paynesville, Minn. Oct. 21, 1934. Dave peacefully left this world Aug. 19, 2005 in Daphne, Ala. Preceding him in death were his parents Albert Ross and A. Marguerite Gesme Foreman. He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife of more than 50 years, Yvonne (Vonnie) Johnson Foreman and their four devoted children, Sheri, of Lexington, Mass., Nancy, of Boulder, Col., David Jr., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sara Jane, of Daphne, Ala. They have six grandsons and two granddaughters who will miss "Papa" dearly. Friends, relatives and others he touched will miss his wisdom and humor.
Dave graduated from Paynesville High School and the University of Minnesota. While at the University of Minnesota, he earned three degrees, culminating as a Doctor of Medicine in 1965. He interned at the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md. He did a residency in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases at NNMC and at Georgetown University. Dr. Foreman was particularly proud of being board certified in both disciplines and a Fellow in both the ACP and ACCP, as well as being a certified "B" reader of pneumoconiosis and asbestosis from 1978 to present. He headed the Pulmonary Branch of Medicine for 10 years at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. He was instrumental in starting a training program there and personally guided 11 fellows to completion. Dr. Foreman retired from the United States Navy at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in 1982. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the 10 years he was head of the Pulmonary Branch, Department of Medicine, NNMC, Portsmouth. Dave was a respected staff member of the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk from its inception to 1985, when his duties on the Executive Committee and as President of the staff at LOMH became more demanding. Dr. Foreman practiced Pulmonary Medicine in Suffolk, first with the Lakeview Clinic until opening his solo practice in 1993, where he remained until November 2000, when illness forced him to retire. He was the first Director of Respiratory Care at LOMH, which included the ICU at the time.
In addition to his family, he really loved fishing, playing golf and singing. He loved his patients, the staff with whom he worked and his convertible (yes, even in the snow). In later retirement days, Dave learned he enjoyed traveling.
In Feb. 2005, he and Vonnie moved to Daphne, Ala. to be closer to their daughter Sara Jane and her family.
En route to his final resting place, Arlington National Cemetery, visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2005 at R.W. Baker Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005 at Main Street United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the American Cancer Society.