David Fischer Merten
David Fischer Merten led an exemplary life: Husband, Father, Gentleman, Writer, Painter, Teacher, Healer, Gifted Speaker, Lover of History and All Forms of Art. He was, in every way, a Renaissance Man -- full of wonder, curiosity and grace.
David passed from this earth surrounded by his wife of over 70 years and his five children. He was welcomed into the loving arms of his father, Harold A. Merten, his Mother Adele (Fischer) and his brother Harold A. Merten Jr.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, David attended Withrow High School where he met the love of his life, Barbara Bush, whom he would marry in 1954. He went on to The University of Cincinnati for both his undergraduate degree (biology, 1952) and his MD. (1956). After completing an internship at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, he returned home for a residency in pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital of Cincinnati (1959). David went to medical school on a U.S. Air Force scholarship and completed his service at March Air Force base in Southern California as a captain with the Strategic Air Command (1961).
While there, Barbara and David fell under California’s spell, and David joined a growing medical group in San Rafael, just north of San Francisco. After building a successful practice, he sought a greater challenge in the emerging field of pediatric radiology. He completed an additional residency at the University of California - San Francisco and a fellowship in pediatric radiology at Baylor University - Texas Children's Hospital -- becoming one of only a small number of pediatric radiologists in the nation.
David was a pioneer in using imaging to diagnose child abuse, and authored more than 100 papers and medical textbook chapters. His research, insight and expert testimony helped rescue countless children from abusive and life-threatening circumstances. David also represented the United States on a number of councils of the World Health Organization.
Eager to expand the field by teaching others, David joined the faculty of The University of California - Davis, then Duke University and ultimately, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he retired as section chief of Pediatric Radiology. After training radiologists in North Carolina for almost 20 years, he was invited to join Wake Radiology in Raleigh and build a thriving Pediatric Radiology department.
David balanced his thriving career with a voracious appetite for learning and doing, particularly in art and history. David enjoyed golf and traveling the world with Barbara. He visited museums wherever he traveled and took up oil painting as a young man. David was especially fond of 18th century American landscape artists. His curiosity about the world fueled his interest in historical events, with a particular affinity for the crusades and early California history. Open and gregarious, David made friends easily and always had a good story or kind word. With a gift for maintaining close ties over time and distance, he was beloved by many.
David’s passion for radiology and life was eclipsed only by his love for and devotion to his family: wife Barbara, children Melissa Morris (John), John (Suzan), Peter (Lauren), Katie Maxwell-King (Tony), Betsy Montgomery (Richard), fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service at St John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke VA on Saturday, February 8th followed by a reception. Honorary donations can be made to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/give/?from=navgive
