Heber Holling Lowe, MD

There weren't many telephones in the town so his mother practiced the art of standing on the back porch and loudly calling his name. If Holling didn't hear her, someone who knew where he was would, and the message would be delivered promptly.

Holling was one of the smartest students in his class and friends and family alike knew he would be heading on to college after high school. He entered Utah State Agricultural College in 1939 with the idea of getting a degree in Engineering. He transferred to the University of Idaho for a year and then to Brigham Young University - meanwhile switching to a pre-med curriculum.

With the onset of World War II, he entered the Navy V-12 program which allowed him to complete his education. He received his MD degree, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Utah in 1947.

All this traveling around during the war allowed him to meet his future wife, Anna Mae, while he was in the V-12 program. They met at a roller skating rink. Holling's friend had talked him into going even though he didn't know how to skate.

That meeting led to his marriage with Anna Mae in 1945.

At that time, all physicians upon obtaining an MD degree, were required to register for the "Doctor's Draft."

Holling was practicing as a GP in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1953 when Uncle Sam tapped him on the shoulder, gave him some Captain's bars and welcomed him into the Air Force. He was stationed at McClellan AFB.

He and Anna Mae became acquainted with and enjoyed Sacramento so much they decided it would be a good place to stay, make a home and raise five children.

Holling was a board certified family physician and practiced for 35 years in private practice and at Kaiser Permanente. He delivered babies, performed some surgery and made house calls. He was on the staffs of the Sutter, Mercy, Arden, American River and Kaiser Hospitals and he served on several committees of the Medical Society.

In spite of his own health problems he was dedicated to the care of his patients. He delivered care with a unique and personal touch.

Once I was asked to review his charts because the medical secretaries were having trouble extracting pertinent information from them.

What I found was that, in addition to the patient's complaint and his physical findings, he had placed information in the margins, such as: the patient has a sister living in St Louis and a cousin in Toledo.

When I asked him about this, he explained, "If that patient calls me I will ask, 'Are you the one with the sister in St Louis?' When they say, 'Yes' I will tell them, 'Now I know who you are.'" Simple and patient pleasing!

Holling was one of a kind. I will remember him with a smile as I recall his orange suspenders and orange socks and a dangling key chain with at least 50 keys.

- James O. Farley, MD