John Young Templeton III, MD, died on March 27, 2007 at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA, at the age of 89. He was a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and teacher.
Dr. Templeton grew up in Mooresville NC where his father, John Young Templeton Jr, practiced medicine. He attended Davidson College and graduated with the highest academic and athletic honors. He earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
Early in his career, Dr. Templeton contributed to the development of the heart-lung machine that launched the era of open heart surgery. Throughout his career, he was one of the most skilled and innovative of cardiac surgeons. He held professorships at the University of Pennsylvania and at Thomas Jefferson University where he was Samuel D. Gross Professor of Surgery. He was an inspiring and beloved, if often intimidating, teacher. His trainees count among the most accomplished cardiothoracic surgeons in practice today.
Dr. Templeton held leadership positions in many professional and social organizations. His honorary degrees include a Doctor of Laws from Jefferson and a Doctor of Science from Davidson. He served as Chair and President, Philadelphia Academy of Surgery; President, Leanne Society of Philadelphia; Chair, New York Academy of Sciences; President, Philadelphia County Medical Society; and President, Pennsylvania Medical Society. He was a member of the International Cardiovascular Society, and Banquet Meister and President of the J. Aitkens Meigs Medical Society.
His avocations were many and included flying, mountain climbing, hiking, birding, hand crafting wooden canoes, and travel. A member of the Katahdin Medical and Philosophical Society, he climbed that peak (and others) several times. He was a skilled woodsman and devoted member of the Lac Pythonga Fish and Game Club in Quebec. During retirement, he traveled extensively with his wife, Dorothy (nee Fraley) ,of Wilkes Barre, PA. She passed away in 2005. They enjoyed more than 35 cruises together, often accompanied by their children and grandchildren.
Dr Templeton was a man of great intelligence and wit. He had enormous curiosity and capacity for delight. He was the most sweet-tempered of individuals.
Dr. Templeton is survived by his children Mary Brem Templeton, Etheldra Templeton, Dorothy Alicia Templeton, and Bruce Templeton. A son, John Y. Templeton IV, died in 1964. His surviving siblings are Thomas Brevard Templeton, MD, of Statesville, Mary McCulloch Templeton (Mrs. George) Brown, of Mt. Ulla, and Louisa Williams Templeton (Mrs. Norman) Sholar, of Mooresville.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service Wed. April 11, 11:00 AM at The Sanctuary of Ardmore Presbyterian Church, Montgomery Ave. and Mill Creek Rd., Ardmore, PA. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 625 W. Ridge Pike, A100, Conshohocken, PA. 19428.