Obituary of William Hewson

William Addinell Hewson, M.D. died peacefully in his home with his family at his side on January 9, 2012. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on December 31, 2011. Bill was born on October 13, 1939 in Chattahoochee, FL to Dr. Frank Hewson and Marjorie Bellinger Hewson. He was brought up in Lake Park, FL but spent many summers at the family fishing camp on the banks of the St. Lucie River in Stuart, where, at the time, Bill said, "you could see the bottom by the Roosevelt Bridge". He loved fishing and as a preteen would troll for snook and tarpon by himself in an 8' sailboat. Becoming very proficient at water skiing, he won numerous tournaments including The North American Boy's Overall Championship in the mid 1950's. At Palm Beach High, he played football and excelled on the diving team, graduating in 1957. Bill graduated from the University of Florida in 1961 where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, honorary pre-medical fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa, honorary scholastic fraternity. He received his M.D. from the University Of Florida Medical School in 1965. After a one year rotating internship at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC., he honorably served his country for 2 years as a medical officer in the U.S. Air Force at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA followed by a year in the Air Force Reserves. He then did a surgical residency for 1 year at the University of Florida as well as a 1 year residency in OB/GYN, after which he did a 2 year residency while helping to establish the new Hershey Medical Center Dept. of OB/GYN in Hershey, PA. Upon completion of his lengthy training, he and his family settled in Stuart, FL in 1972 where he practiced OB/GYN with Dr. James Harrell and Dr. Larry Holder, who became known as "the 3 H's".

At the age of 18, he met Ruthann Bailey (hailing from Kingston, MA), in Wisconsin Dells where they both skied in the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show. They soon became a water-skiing team doing numerous double acts on the waters of Lake Delton, lakes and bays in New England with the traveling show, and at the World Trade Center in Chicago. Thus began the love and closeness they shared for 50 years. They were married in 1961 just prior to his starting medical school. Their first daughter Michelle Louise was born at the University Of Florida Medical School in 1962. Sandy Lynn was also born there, delivered in 1970 by her Daddy when he was a first year OB/GYN resident. Last but not least, their third daughter Kimberly Ann was born at Hershey Medical Center in 1971.

Merely 1 year after moving to Stuart and starting his practice of medicine, he was found to have osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer). No treatment for this type of cancer was available at that time, so his entire hamstring muscle where the tumor was situated was removed. Thanks be to God, this proved to be a cure, and Bill went on to deliver many babies at Martin Memorial Hospital for the next 10 years. Then in 1983, just weeks after delivering his first grandchild, Michelle's son Billy, he was in a bad auto accident. His med school doctor friend, who had performed his cancer surgery, met him in the ER and said, "Hewson, you had 9 lives, you have 7 left". Through faith in God, hard work and perseverance, he recovered and set up a solo GYN practice at 900 E. Ocean with daughter Michelle on the office staff. Eventually she took over all the roles in the office except doctoring. The two of them continued his practice until his death. There was great love and caring amongst the patients, Michelle and Bill.

He was an excellent surgeon and ingenious diagnostician yet humble, gentle and kind. His brilliant intellect, bright eyes and caring ways increased the happiness of the childbirth experience for his patients. His surgical abilities freed many from pain and suffering and kept some from death. "Such a kind, sweet, gentle, Godly man", wrote one of his patients. "He was there to help my husband and me with those major life milestones of pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and into my upcoming geriatric years. He could always be counted on to offer calm, gentle support in times of crisis," says another patient. "Bill Hewson was one of the good guys" says a patient and long-time friend. And another said, "He was an amazing man with a kind and generous heart and a sense of humor like no other."

Bill was active in numerous organizations including the Martin County Medical Society, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and he served on the National Board of Directors of The Association of American Physicians & Surgeons which works to protect the doctor/patient relationship and the private practice of medicine. He served as Medical Director of Care Net Pregnancy Services from its inception approximately 30 years ago until his recent death. His love of God, family and country led him to run the local chapter of the John Birch Society with Ruthann for about 15 years. He gave numerous speeches and interviews on American History, the Constitution and political issues. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Stuart and later on at Jupiter Presbyterian Church where he often played piano during the worship services. He was an accomplished pianist and gifted with absolute pitch.

He loved golf, yet chose to spend more time with activities the family could enjoy together. He was an avid fisherman but loved and enjoyed all activities involving the ocean and waterways in our area as well as The Keys, where the family frequently vacationed. The family lived on Hibiscus Ave. in Stuart for 13 years then moved to a waterfront home in Sewall's Point for 12 years, which was a special time for him and Ruthann. They spent many hours boating, fishing from their dock and nurturing the lovely property with its lush tropical foliage and trees. He & Ruthann moved to Palm City in 1998 to a home on peaceful Bessey Creek.

After 50 blessed years of marriage to Bill, Ruthann will miss him terribly, but knows he is at peace with our Lord. He was a kind, gentle and humble father to his three daughters, Michelle Hinson and husband Jeff of Stuart, Sandy South and husband Doug of Wilmington, N.C. and Kimberly Burke of Orlando. He has been loved and respected by his 6 grandchildren William Roberts and wife Charity of Port St. Lucie, Eric Hinson of Stuart, Douglas and Dalton South of Wilmington, N.C., and Cody and Kaley Burke of Orlando.

He will be missed by his loving brother Michael Hewson, M.D., wife Linda, and daughters Christina and Alex of Charleston, S.C.; sister Judy Wolfe, son Billy Mike of Oak Harbor, Washington and daughter Jennifer Reichert; sister Joanne Hubbard of Bondurant, Iowa , and sons Todd and Erin.

Family and friends are welcome to join in a celebration of Bill's life Saturday January 21 at 4:00 p.m. with a reception to follow at Palm City Presbyterian Church, 2700 SW Martin Hwy., Palm City. The Rev. Richard W. Anderson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Palm City Presbyterian Church, 2700 SW Martin Hwy., Palm City, FL 34990 or to Care Net Pregnancy Services of The Treasure Coast, 8432 S. Federal Hwy., Port St. Lucie, FL 34952.

An online obituary and guest registry is available at www.foresthillspalmcityflorida.com