Dr. Robert Pope

WILSON - Dr. Robert C. Pope, 83, a retired pediatrician, died Sunday, May 28, 2006. His medical career was inspired by his grandfather who was a country doctor in Scotland Neck and Corry, PA. Dr. Pope was born in Winchester, VA, November 24, 1922 to Richard Hunter and Zoe Wilcox Pope. He moved to Enfield at age one and was a graduate of Enfield High School, Wake Forest University, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston Salem. After completing medical school, he served in the U.S. Navy in the V12 naval program during World War II. It was during his time in the Navy in Augusta, GA., and Memphis, TN that he met his beloved wife of 58 years Ruthmary McColl. He served at Episcopal General Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, Linwood General Hospital in Augusta, GA, and Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis, TN, and served as Chief of Pediatrics at Watts Hospital in Durham. His pediatric training was at Baptist Hospital with Bowman Gray School of Medicine. He came to Wilson in 1950 to practice pediatrics at Woodard Herring Hospital and Wilson Clinic and then Eastern Carolina Pediatric Clinic. He served as Chief of Staff and Chief of the Pediatric Department at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He retired in 1997 after 47 years of practice but continued as Medical Director at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf. He also continued seeing patients in the Well Baby Clinic in Enfield with the Halifax County Health Department. Dr. Pope also served as a camp doctor at Camp Sea Gull in Arapahoe for one week each summer for 26 years. The Salvation Army was special to Dr. Pope. He served on the advisory board for 45 years. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and was a member of the choir for more than 50 years. His love of music lead him to help found the Wilson Chorale where he sang for many years. Dr. Pope was a member of and served in various capacities of the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis, Wilson County Medical Society, North Carolina Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, American Medical Association, North Carolina Pediatric Society, the Wilson Kiwanis Club, and the President of the Bowman Gray School or Medicine Alumni. He was an avid tennis player and devoted supporter of Wake Forest University sports. Surviving is his wife, Ruth McColl Pope; daughters, Susan Justesen