Rodman Wilson MD, MACP 1921-2003
Rodman Wilson MD, MACP, Alaska's first Master in the American College of Physicians and the first Governor of our chapter died at home in Anchorage on December 10, 2003 from complications of a brain tumor. His career epitomized the development of Alaska Medicine in the later part of the 20th century and set the stage for the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Physicians to be in the forefront of ACP activities.
Dr. Wilson graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1946, and did his internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City in 1947, He completed his internal medicine residency training at the University of Cincinnati Hospital in 1953.
Dr. Wilson practiced medicine in Anchorage from 1958-1982 and then served as Director of Public Health until 1987. He also served as President of the Anchorage Medical Society, President of the Alaska State Medical Association, and as Interim Director of the Alaska State Medical Association. He was the Alaska State Medical Association Physician of the Year on three different occasions. These are just a few of his services to the medical community, honors and accomplishments. Dr. Wilson had an interest in politics and ran unsuccessfully for the Alaska State Legislature.
Besides his enormous stature in the medical community, he was an avid traveler, skilled outdoorsman and mountain climber. His book Tordrillo: Pioneer Climbs and Flights in the Tordrillo Mountains of Alaska 1957-1997 which he co-authored with Paul Crews Sr., Lowell Thomas Jr., and Tony Martin is a classic piece of scholarship that immortalizes the pioneers who opened up mountaineering in one of the unique mountain ranges gracing Southcentral Alaska. A signed copy of his book is one of my treasured possessions.
Dr. Wilson was a devoted family man who is survived by his wife Gwynneth, and four children. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Priscilla Wilson.
Dr. Rod Wilson was a big man who walked extensively in Alaska's big country. He also left his distinctive mark of scholarship and excellence on our Alaska Chapter of the ACP. It was a privilege to have known him. We owe much to this remarkable man who helped to shape Alaska Medicine in its early years. He will be remembered fondly by a diverse group of people who he touched in his life pursuits.
Richard L. Neubauer, MD, FACP
Governor, Alaska Chapter
Additional Reminiscences About Dr. Wilson
By Thomas Wood MD, FACP
Third Alaska Chapter Governor
"In 1971 when I came to Alaska to begin private practice, Rod Wilson along with Bob Wilkins, Bob Whaley, Withrop Fish, and Keith Brownsberger constituted the “old guys.” The “young guys,” all recently trained at university medical schools, were full of enthusiasm, facts, new knowledge, and they started a monthly journal club which had nearly 100% participation with all of the internists in Anchorage. At these meetings, Rod was frequently able to instill a new perspective on the various reports, broadening the subject matter with his long internal medicine experience and enabling us all to apply the new knowledge in a constructive manner in our clinical practices. Rod continued to do this throughout his active practice life, interacting with his colleagues and continuously updating his medical knowledge. His reputation was also enhanced by his occasional house calls in the early days of Anchorage!
After retirement, he was appointed Municipal Health Officer in Anchorage. In this role, he directed attention to childhood immunizations, air quality, auditory damage to those attending heavy metal concerts, and accuracy in the completion of death certificates. During his tenure, wild rats appeared in Anchorage but were destroyed under his guidance. Pet rats, it was rumored, required identity photographs, both front and side views!
Rod was always a political activist, running unsuccessfully for the Alaska Legislature on two occasions. He subsequently served as Executive Director of the Alaska State Medical Association and was appointed to an expert insurance panel by the Governor. In all of his medical/political endeavors, he was always very straightforward and honest.
Outside of medicine, Rod was an avid mountaineer, making first ascents of several peaks in the Chugach and Tordrillo Mountains.
Finally, Rod was a pioneer in the establishment of the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Physicians. Prior to his appointment as the first Governor of the Chapter, Alaska had been included with Washington State for all College activities. It is noteworthy as well that he was the first Alaskan to attain the prestigious title, Master of the American College of Physicians."
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By Norman J Wilder, MD, MACP
Fifth Alaska Chapter Governor
“Rod Wilson - what memories his name evokes. It is hard to believe how our lives were so intertwined, yet we were a generation apart. I was barely a year old when he graduated from medical school and it would take me a total of 31 years of life before I even met him! It is another 28 years later that I’m writing about him.
My first recollections of Rod were of an article that he wrote in the Annals of Internal Medicine about the medical aspects of mountain rescues. I wouldn’t meet him for several more years, but while reading the article I wondered what he was like. I later found out that he was a physician for physicians, a devoted mountaineer, and author. He co-authored a book about climbing in the mountain range west of Anchorage. In the mid-80s he asked me to fly him in my plane to the same mountain range to scout possible approaches for one of his climbs of Mt. Spurr. His autographed book of those climbs will always be a treasure of mine.
The first time I met him he was with my hospital commander at Elmendorf, Bud Conrad, another internist I’ve highly respected. Bud wanted me to continue with a career in the Air Force and Rod encouraged me to remain in Anchorage following my tour at Elmendorf. He began mentoring me at that first meeting. And, I’ve lived in Anchorage ever since!
In the late 70s he was one of only a handful of Alaskan internists to have achieved Fellowship in the American College of Physicians and he was the first person to suggest that I apply for Fellowship. I had doubts about my qualifications, but he reassured me and encouraged me through the application process. He shared my pride when I finally received Fellowship. Later, after becoming our first Master of the College with a letter of support from the then state Governor, Tony Knowles, Rod volunteered to write a letter in support of my nomination to become the second.
Rod became our first Governor of the new Alaska Region of the College. He attended an Annual Session in Kansas City in the early 80s and was sitting next to me during an address by Tom Brokaw, the keynote speaker. Responding to only a few questions from the audience, Tom Brokaw acknowledged Rod’s raised hand and answered a “tough question” that integrated politics, economics, and history with the current medical practice climate. Rod was more than just a good doctor. Later, when I was the 5th Alaska Chapter Governor, Rod attended all of my meetings and encouraged me often. He was always available.
As Rod moved into the Municipality of Anchorage government and closed down his practice, I remember the patients that he referred to me. Most of them made me feel a little uneasy as I tried to fill the large shoes of “their” Dr. Wilson. Several told me, however, that if Dr. Wilson sent them to me then I must be good, such was the trust they had in him. I heard many stories from them about his expertise and caring. Several told me that beneath his cool demeanor lay a warm heart that you could see in the twinkle in his eye and in his slight smile. Those of us, who knew Rod, know exactly what they meant!
In the early 80s Rod and Gwynneth asked if they might stay with Kathy and me and our two girls in a cabin at Chena Hot Springs Resort. We were there for a winter thoracic society meeting. The only heat in our uninsulated cabin at 40 below was from the logs that he and I put into the wood stove every 1-2 hours. Kathy and I were nervous that our children wouldn’t behave themselves, but we shouldn’t have worried. Two decades later, still acting like grandparents to our girls, Rod and Gwynneth recalled those nights in the cabin at Chena Hot Springs and asked for updates on our daughters’ developing careers. Rod offered encouragement to Brenda as she applied to medical school. To father and to daughter, Rod has been a mentor.
Rod was the first Governor of our chapter, the first in our chapter to receive the Laureate Award and the first Alaskan to receive Mastership in the College. Rod had many “firsts,” but the memories I have of Rod Wilson are primarily those of a mentor and a friend, and “my doctor” to numerous Alaskans."
Dr. Wilson in his younger days
Dr. Wilson and co-authors signing Copies of "Tordrillo"
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Contact Information
Alaska Chapter Governor:
Robert W. Bundtzen, MD, FACP
Kris Rahm
AK Chapter Executive Director
4904 S. Sweetbriar Dr.
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
(605) 339-9804 - office
(605) 321-1466 - cell
(605) 271-9227 - fax
E-mail: krisrahm@sio.midco.net
Laurie Braun
AK Chapter Administrative Assistant
605-331-6995
E-mail: lauriebraun@sio.midco.net