Dr. Roger Biswell Taken by Death; 30 Years in Practice
Passed Monday, Day After Retuning Here From Winter Vacation
Death unexpectedly at his home at 2710 Main St. at the age of 58, claimed Dr. Roger Biswell early Monday morning May 12, just a day after returning Sunday after five months stay in California, mostly at San Jose, with two of their children.
Dr. Biswell had been prominently active in the medical field here for many years, prior to and after the war, retiring because of his health in 1967.
He had spent five years in the medical corps of the armed forces, much of it at Lettermen’s General Hospital, San Francisco, but also much of it as a Lt. Colonel in the General Hospital in Burma where he was in charge of the orthopedic surgery department.
Native of Haines
He was born Sept. 15, 1910, at Haines, Oregon, the son of Dr. Roger Biswell Sr. and Myrtle Bratton Biswell. He attended school in Baker, and was graduated from Baker High, the University of Oregon and the University of Oregon Medical School. He did his post graduate work in medicine at the Alameda County Hospital, Oakland, California, and opened his own practice in Baker in 1937, continuing here except for his military service, until his retirement.
In Sept. of 1933 he was united in marriage to Flora Corkery in Spokane, Washington, and as a Dr., she was associated with him in practice and together they built the Biswell Clinic building on North Main.
Was Active Surgeon
Dr. Biswell was a surgeon as well as a physician and was on the staff of St. Elizabeth hospital, was a member of Baker County, Oregon and American Medical Societies. At the University he became affiliated with Nu Sigma Nu which is a honorary medical fraternity and with Delta Epsilon.
Dr. Biswell is survived by his wife, Dr. Flora Biswell and his mother, Mrs. Roger Biswell Sr. of Baker; a son Dr. Roderick Biswell of San Jose, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. George (Mary) Martenthal of Rockville, Md., and Mrs. Robert (Ann) Tremain of Mountain View, Ca.; a sister, Mrs. David (Marjorie) Watson of Spokane, WA., and six grandchildren.
Mary, accompanied by her youngest child, flew in yesterday and Ann and husband and Rick and his wife were due in last night.
Funeral services will be private and were scheduled for 1:30 p.m. this afternoon (Thursday) May 15, at the Beatty Chapel, with interment in Mt. Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends who wished were encouraged to make their memorial in Presbyterian Memorial Fund or the Oregon Medical Research Foundation, addressed through the Chapel. The casket will be draped with the American Flag of a veteran. Pall bearers will be close friends and associates.
Brother Passes Away
Mrs. Roger Biswell Sr. of Baker lost a second member of her family the same day.. Monday, when her brother, John H. Bratton of Wallowa passed away in La Grande.
Source: The Record-Courier, May 15, 1968
Contributed by: Belve Tickner