Tag: dementia

Beyond Friendship by Charles Schwab, MD

It has taken time to write about Don. When he started to decline mentally, it seemed incomprehensible that this great man would come to a disease that would strip away his mind. For it was his intellect that defined Don’s professional life and delivered the influence he had on the world. My father, decades ago, suffered the stages of dementia and Dad’s four-year decline was intensely painful. To know how Don’s remaining years might proceed crushed my heart.

It is difficult to put into words a description of Don Trunkey. For Don Trunkey was in a category all his own—a man of utmost integrity, a person who had all the gifts that could guide, advise and lead during the good times, and especially when paths had not been travelled and answers remained hidden.  Dr. Trunkey was the consummate professional: ethical behavior beyond reproach, altruistic to the core, constant intellectual development, committed to his convictions, with superb emotional intelligence and an inability to compromise his values. He was serious and strong, not arrogant, rather humble, and he constantly displayed a sense of enjoyment and fun about life and for the people he served and loved. He was “called” to the profession of medicine and sought to improve the health of others by perpetually elevating the care of the injured.  He was a visionary, counselor, leader, physician, surgeon, righteous citizen, patriot, confidante to many and the most impactful trauma surgeon of our time.

I don’t how, why or exactly when Don and I became good friends. Regardless, for some thirty years we were the best of friends. We rarely talked business even though we traveled together a great deal, vacationed with our wives and, if time sped on without talking,  with no regard for time zone or , continent,  a phone call  came about. Our Sun Fun group with Tommy Thompson, Lew Flint and Kim Maul kept the five couples together. Always a gathering in mid-winter, on a Caribbean island and a few rules: no business allowed, great music and entertainment, fabulous meals, and a little fine wine was a part of the glue. These gatherings were hilarious and an annual recharging of the energy cells of our bodies, minds and souls. Don and I were hikers and over thirty years we probably hiked thousands of miles. one on one.  Those times were precious. Margie and Jane were great friends and as a traveling foursome, our trips were adventurous and memorable.  We enjoyed each other’s company and our senses of humor and love of the comedy in life were lifelong bonds. Many, many tears were shared; most were from laughter, some from sorrows.  Friends for life.

I see today what I most admired about Don, both his gentleness and strength, easygoing joy and stubborn tenacity for issues he strongly believed.  He was a wonderful older brother, a navigator of my life and gently turned my compass a few degrees, and without my knowing the change in direction was taking place. He was beyond a friend and a precious gift in my life. Thank you, Don.

Reminiscences on Donald Trunkey From a Lifelong Friend, by Dr Dave Richardson

I first met Don Trunkey when I was a resident in Surgery in Texas.  He was a few years older than me, and was always very cordial and gracious.  Many aspects of our career were similar. We both did broad based surgery, but had a particular interest in the organization of trauma care.  I would not in any way want to infer that my impact in that regard is anywhere near that of Don, but it allowed me to understand the passion he felt for that cause.  Through the years, Don was a visitor in Kentucky on numerous occasions. He and Jane were always great friends, and my late wife, Suzanne, really enjoyed them both. She was particularly fond of Jane.  

One could look at a curriculum vitae of a person and glean certain things about their life.  In reviewing Don’s life accomplishments, there were certainly many. He was a recognized leader of surgical organizations, and I believe if one asked 100 well-informed surgeons with an interest in trauma, “Who was the most influential person in that field in the last 50 years?”, virtually all would have the similar response of Don Trunkey.  That is a tremendous legacy for any individual in any field of endeavor.

However, laudable Don’s accomplishments, they really paled beside the enormous personality that he’s always exhibited.  To know Don, even casually, was to never forget him. I can remember numerous dinners that we had informally at various meetings, where he would expound on the virtues of some wine he was making or some new food or beverage (usually the alcohol containing-type) that he had recently encountered.  This was always delivered with great gusto and bravado. Don and I have both shared an enormous love of learning beyond medicine throughout our lives. We were always sharing book titles with each other about a variety of topics and genres. Truly, Don’s larger than life persona made him, in my mind, even more remarkable than his many accomplishments in the field of surgery.  

It is my understanding that Don is not exactly himself today, but I certainly hope he realizes the great affection I have for him personally.  I know many of our mutual friends feel the same way. To have known Don through these many years is to have been blessed with his enormous charisma and charm.