Staats, E. Dwight

Passed: 1979-05-12

Age: 76

Source:

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1979-05-16

Information: RETIRED RIPLEY PHYSICIAN DIES Dr. Enoch Dwight Staats, 76, Ripley, died early Saturday morning in the Cleveland Clinic following a short illness.  The retired physician was a native of Ripley, the son of the late C. C. and Bessie Carson Staats.    His practice spanned a period of 43 years, most of which were spent in Jackson County during an era in which doctors treated patients in their offices and then spent the remainder of the day and frequently the nights making house calls on those too ill to go to the office.  Dr. Staats maintained an interest in the youth of the community and especially followed their activities in athletics.  For many years he attended the injured football players along the sidelines during the local football games, encouraging all to do their best.  In the 1930's, he also assisted Elbert Goodwin in coaching the Ripley football team.   Dr. Staats was a 1924 graduate of Otterbein College.  He interned at Delaware Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, following graduation from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia in 1929.  His first two years of medical school were at West Virginia University.  He began his practice of medicine in Ripley in 1930.  His first office was located on the second floor of the former First National Bank building, now occupied by Farmers Federal Savings and Loan at the corner of Main and Court Streets.  From 1941 to 1945, during World War II, he served in the U. S. Army Medical Corps, stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.  When he was discharged, he had attained the rank of major.  When he returned to Ripley, he resumed his practice until 1958, at which time he moved to Charleston.  He retired in 1973 and returned to Ripley to make his home at 121 North Street.   Dr. Staats was a member of Ripley Lodge No. 16 AF & AM, the American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians.  He belonged to the Calvary United Methodist Church.   Survivors include his wife, Helen Hovey Staats, Ripley, whom he married in 1937; two daughters, Mrs. Dottty Kerns, Charleston, Mrs. Helen Harris, Grand Rapids, Mich.; one brother, Wallace Wade Staats, Ripley; one sister, Mrs. Theo S. Maddox, Winter Park, Fla.; six grandchildren, Kathryn, Todd and Kristin Kerns, Charleston; Enon, Noah and Morgan Harris, Grand Rapids, Mich.  Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Vail Funeral Home with the Rev. William Eaton officiating.  Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery.