Yeosock – Don Trunkey

Donald Dean Trunkey JUNE 23, 1955 ~ MAY 1, 2019 (AGE 63) by English Funeral Chapel

Donald Dean Trunkey, M.D., 81

Donald Dean Trunkey passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side on May 1, 2019, in Post Falls, Idaho. He was born on June 23, 1937, in Oakesdale, Wash., to John Douglas and Rebecca Nelson Trunkey. The family moved to St. John, Wash., where Don grew up and graduated from St. John High School in 1955 as valedictorian. He attended what was then Washington State College and received a degree in zoology, which made him the last person to have graduated from WSC before it officially became Washington State University. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega.

Don and Jane Trunkey were married in Colfax, Wash., on Sept. 26, 1958. After graduation, Don went on to the University of Washington, where he received his doctorate of medicine degree. He did a rotating internship in Portland, Ore., at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).

Don later served within the U.S. Army with the 4th Armored Division 2nd Calvary, in Bamberg, Germany, in the dispensary for two years. While there, their son, Robert Derek was born in Nuremberg, Germany; followed four years later by their daughter, Kristina “Kristi” Jo, born in San Francisco, Calif.

Don had a stellar career as a trauma surgeon — first through his residency in San Francisco, then becoming chairman of surgery at San Francisco General Hospital. Also a professor emeritus of surgery at the Oregon Health Science University, Don was presented the WSU Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of his influential career and contributions to medical education, surgical methods and trauma care.

While in Portland, he also served as the head of the 50th General Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia within Desert Storm.

Don often volunteered in Landstuhl, Germany. While there, Col. Trunkey and Col. Daniel Cavanaugh flew Lieutenant General John. J. Yeosock to Germany for an operation. When they returned a few days later, Lt. General John J. Yeosock began the ground war. The order was given by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. Commander-in-Chief. Col. Trunkey was given a Bronze Star for his service.

Don is survived by his wife, Jane Mary Trunkey; son, R. Derek (Kristen Hammond) Trunkey and daughter, Kristi Trunkey. He is also survived by his sister, Sandie Trunkey and his grandchildren, Ethan, Nathan, Mason, Hayden, Hayley and Harrison. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jay, Gary, David Roger and K.B.

A memorial service for Don will be held at a later date.

In lieu of donations, please send to Trunkey Family Scholarship, S.J.E. School Foundation. PO Box 411, St. John, WA. 99171 or the St. John Heritage Museum, PO Box 315, St. John, WA 91711.

The family also asks for donations to be made in honor of Don to the College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship Fund or the College of Education Scholarship Fund at Washington State University, located at: https://foundation.wsu.edu/give/. Checks should be made payable to the Washington State University Foundation and mailed to the Washington State University Foundation at PO Box 641925, Pullman, WA 99164-1925. Please designate on the check ”in honor of Don Trunkey, College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship Fund” OR ”the College of Education Scholarship Fund.”

50th General Hospital, by Dr. Tom Hutchinson, COL USA (Ret)

As the Commander of the 50^th General hospital during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991), I got to know Col. Don Trunkey pretty well. He was our Chief of Professional Services and was always busy keeping the medical/surgical side of things on a straight and narrow path. He presided over our M and M (Morbidity and Mortality) Conferences, and tolerated no nonsense in professional performance or behavior. This was accomplished in the company of a splendid sense of humor.

When LTG Yeosock, our 3^rd Army Commander, developed a gallbladder infection and needed surgery, I asked Don to manage the situation as I knew if I were to get involved, I would end up as a middleman which would create a problem-prone situation, not to mention adding unnecessary delays . Don met with GEN Schwarzkopf (the Central Command Commander-and LTG Yeosock’s boss) to advise him how medical treatment for LTG Yeosock could be managed; and a decision was made to evacuate the general from the theater of operations and have him treated in Germany. Don and Col. Dan Cavanaugh, one of our General Surgeons, went to Germany with their patient, and performed the surgery. A quick recovery and return to duty followed; setting the stage for the initiation of the Allied ground offensive.

As one of the nation’s leading trauma surgeons, Don was always an advocate for documenting wound management and preserving this data for analysis; so that any information that could be identified as ‘lessons learned’ would be on record. He was particularly interested in seeing that this was done during Operation Desert Storm.

I remember sitting down with Don at Fort Lewis as we were being out-processed for discharge from active duty, and together working on a large stack of Officer Efficiency Reports which were due at that time. Misery does love company.

Don was recognized by the AMEDD (Army Medical Department) for his distinguished career and his contribution to military medicine by induction into the Order of Military Merit. Recognition he justly warranted.

After the first Gulf War, Don joined with us in the 50^th General hospital Association. In spite of the considerable distance between Seattle and Portland he and Jane were able to make several of our reunions, and enjoyed seeing old friends and visiting the Fort Lewis area.

Tom Hutchinson, MD,

COL, USA (RET)

Orthopedic Surgeon

Minor Disagreement with Stormin’ Norman by Daniel Cavanaugh, M.D., FACS

Doctor Don Trunkey, a giant of a man physically and world renowned in the arena of trauma surgery, became a colleague, a mentor, and a friend as we served together during Gulf War I – Desert Storm. Doctor Trunkey was the Chief of Professional Services and the Chief of Surgery of the 50^th General Hospital as the unit deployed from Fort Lewis Washington to Saudi Arabia in January 1991. I was assigned as a thoracic/general surgeon, working under Doctor Trunkey ‘s direction during the deployment. We served at the Riyadh Military Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

One evening, in early February 1991, I was the surgeon on call. Following a SCUD missile attack I was called to the emergency room at 0300 hours to see a very ill VIP – LTG John Yeosock, Commander of the Third US Army. General Yeosock was suffering from acute cholecystitis and needed urgent gallbladder surgery. Because of General Yeosock’s senior command status, I asked Dr. Trunkey to come to the emergency room to perform a second opinion. Doctor Trunkey concurred with my diagnosis and recommended gallbladder surgery for the general as well. General Yeosock was devastated by the news as he shortly would be commanding all the Third Army Forces for the upcoming ground war portion of Desert Storm.

General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of all coalition forces, when notified of General Yeosock’s illness, began the search for a replacement commander. I had worked under General Yeosock as the Division Surgeon in1980 when he was Colonel Yeosock, the Chief of Staff for the Division. Because I had developed a great working relationship with him during that division surgeon assignment, he felt comfortable conveying to me how heartbroken he was about possibly losing his Third Army Command.

I immediately spoke to Doctor Trunkey who took charge of the situation. He made an appointment to speak to General Schwarzkopf. These two giants of men spoke eye to eye in the General’s office, Doctor Trunkey assured General Schwarzkopf that we could operate on General Yeosock and have him ready for full duty in less than a week. Although initially quite skeptical, General Schwarzkopf finally agreed to the plan.

Because of security concerns, General Schwarzkopf assigned his aircraft to fly General Yeosock and the medical team to Germany to have the operative procedure completed. Because this was just prior to the days of routine laproscopic gallbladder surgery, Doctor Trunkey stated that we would do the procedure through a mini incision and then use an epidural catheter for pain control.

Doctor Trunkey and I completed the operative procedure in less than an hour and the General did well. In four days General Yeosock walked off the aircraft and reported to General Schwarzkopf that he was ready for full duty. In a few days the General would successfully command the Third Army in the biggest tank battle in history.

Daniel G Cavanaugh, M.D., FACS (Retired)

COL USA Retired

For more about Desert Storm and other adventures see:

https://www.weau.com/content/misc/4-PM-INTERVIEW-Chippewa-Valley-Local-Authors-496619261.html