Houston

Robert Ross Houston, M.D., of North Point Drive, Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, passed away at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle.

Dr. Houston was born May 27, 1916, in Harrisville, to James Renwick Houston and Emma Ross Houston.

Ross was a dedicated physician who served his patients and community for many years.

Dr. Houston was a graduate of Harrisville High School, Grove City College and Jefferson Medical School.

He married Ruth Evalyn Ifft on July 16, 1942, and they lived in Pittsburgh, while he continued his internal medicine residency at Presbyterian Hospital.

After joining the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1944, he served in the European theater.

Upon discharge from the army in 1946, Dr. Houston continued his medical education while seeking a small town in which to begin his career as a family physician.

In 1947, Ross, Evalyn and daughter Nancy moved to New Wilmington. With the assistance and support of Evalyn, who served as nurse and secretary, Dr. Houston practiced medicine for more than 40 years. Ross was committed to his patients as witnessed by his “round the clock” availability and frequent house calls to farms throughout Lawrence and Mercer counties. A middle of the night telephone call for an imminent birth was commonplace as were trips to the emergency department to assess the nature of an injury. One of his most enjoyable jobs was that of physician to the Wilmington High School football team.

After retirement from private practice, Dr. Houston continued his career as medical director for the Overlook Medical Clinic and the Silver Oaks Nursing Center.

Ross was an avid historian of the Civil War and spent many hours researching the war and its veterans at area libraries, historical centers and on Internet websites.

Dr. Houston was a longtime member of the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder.

Survivors include his wife, Evalyn; and his children, Nancy Dobbins of Duxbury, Mass., Carol Allen of Butler, Robert Ross Houston Jr. M.D. of Poland, Ohio, and Janet Houston of Lebanon, N.H. Seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild complete the family.

<B>HOUSTON </B>— The family of Robert Ross Houston M.D., who died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, will receive friends Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington. A funeral service for family members will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ralph Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington.