Eulogy for
Dr. Edwin H. Page
Presented by Lew Runnels
Given at Rotary Club June 14, 2011
My friend, colleague and fellow Rotarian, Dr. Edwin H Page, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2011.
Dr. Page became a member of Rotary in 1968 and maintained that membership until his death 43 years later.
He suffered a severe illness in 2001 that eventually resulted in loss
of 90% of his vision and he was unable to attend Rotary after that. He
bravely endured the ten year illness and maintained a walking and
exercise program without complaint. When asked how he felt, his favorite
expression was 'tolerable'. I had the honor and privilege of visiting
him each Tuesday after Rotary at Cumberland Pointe where he resided. He
was a devoted Rotarian and was always interested in what took place at
Rotary, the program and other activities.
Edwin H. Page was born in Glasgow, Kentucky and attended primary and
secondary school there. Later he attended Western Kentucky University,
graduating in 1940 with a Bachelor Degree in biology and music.
Soon after graduating, Ed Page joined the Navy, completed officer
training and was assigned to the USS Louisville Heavy Cruiser as a
gunnery officer in 1943. After that, the ship and crew were engaged in
extensive action in the Aleutians and later across the South Pacific,
providing naval gunfire through all the epic amphibious battles. The USS
Louisville was the leading unit of the shore bombardment at Saipan and
Tinian and Lt. Page and his crew helped set a gunnery record and were on
the firing line for 11 days and nights of the Saipan operation. The
ship later led the parade in the effort to retake the Philippines and
this ship fired the first shot for a heavy ship and more main battery
rounds than the total of all six battleships added together.
Subsequently, in further action in the Philippines, the ship came under
heavy air attacks and was hit twice by Japanese suicide (kamikaze)
planes. Lieutenant Page suffered wounds sufficient to be removed from
duty and eventually was sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital where he
recovered from his wounds. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He
rarely spoke of his war experiences.
After the war he returned to Louisville, Kentucky where he taught biology and music to high school students for two years.
He then decided on Veterinary Medicine as a career and enrolled at
The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in
1953.
He began mostly large animal practice in Glasgow, Kentucky and became
well known for his expertise in equine medicine and lameness.
He was enticed to come to Purdue University School of Veterinary
Medicine in 1964 as a clinician and professor in the large animal
clinic. He taught Equine Medicine with a specialty in lameness diagnosis
and therapy. Additionally, he developed a course for students and
Indiana practicing veterinarians on acupuncture in the equine species.
Dr. Page was the recipient of many teaching awards and was highly
regarded by students, and veterinarians. He received the outstanding
Clinician Award and is listed in the Purdue Book of Great Teachers. He
was also awarded the titles of Kentucky Colonel and Sagamore of the
Wabash. There is a plaque in the present Purdue Large Animal Clinic
honoring his establishment of the Equine Neonatal Intensive Care unit.
Dr. Page was head of the Department of Large Animal Clinics from 1979 to
1985.
Dr. Page's wife, Maragret died in 2003. He is survived by a son, Dr.
Edwin Page, Jr. an emergency room physician in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
(wife Beth), a daughter, Dr. Julie Schleck (husband Dr. Kurt Schleck)
both with Indiana University Health Arnett here in greater Lafayette,
two grandsons, Patrick Schleck, a pharmacist in Union City New Jersey,
and Brent Schleck , in graduate School at the University of Michigan. Ed
Page was extremely proud of and devoted to his family. He is also
survived by a brother, Leon Page of Franklin, Kentucky.
Dr. Ed Page was a true southern gentleman and lived a full and fruitful life. Peace be with Ed Page