"To the Pittman Family, We were saddened to hear of your father's death. Your father and mother were a very unique and outstanding couple. I especially remember your father telling me in detail the 50th wedding celebration with all the family being there in Michigan. Being with the kids and grandkids was their biggest pleasure. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
In loving memory of
John Pittman
February 4, 1933 - December 25, 2014
John Norman Pittman, MD, a pioneer in open heart surgery, was once described as "one of the good guys in a white cowboy hat." He was a visionary. He believed that hard work could overcome any obstacle. He could do what others thought impossible. He believed in the underdog because he once was the underdog.
Dr. Pittman, 81, of Carmel, Indiana peacefully passed away on Christmas Day, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 4, 1933 in Princeton, Indiana to the late Leonard Elmore and L. Audrey (Dorsett) Pittman.
John graduated from Indiana School of Medicine in 1957, serving as Class President. He was a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Tripler General Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii 1957-1958. He trained in General Surgery Residency at Methodist Hospital from 1960-1963 followed by Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Residency at the University of Michigan 1963-1965. He was a Co-Founder and Cardiovascular Surgeon of Cardiovascular Surgical Services founded in 1965 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
John met the love of his life Euna Rose Williams, RN during his residency at Methodist Hospital. They were married in 1957 and were faithful for 53 years until she passed away in 2010. John loved, honored and cared for her until the end. He is survived by their 5 children; John Scott (Jill) Pittman M.D., Mark Anthony (Robin) Pittman, J.D., Steve Alan (Shelly) Pittman, Anne Marie Kelton and MAJ Chad Andrew (Cristi) Pittman, J.D. He is survived by 20 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and his one brother, James Lenard Pittman, DDS.
Dr. Pittman along with Dr. Harry Siderys pioneered the development of new cardiovascular surgical techniques in Indiana. Dr. Pittman dedicated his career to the highest quality of patient care, resident education and innovation in a rapidly developing field of Cardiovascular Surgery. He was on the team that performed the first open heart procedure in 1965 at Methodist Hospital which rapidly evolved into one of the busiest programs in the country by 1971. Dr. Pittman developed a new sternal retractor system for use in coronary artery bypass graft surgery and later the first group in the state to perform heart transplantation in 1982. He retired in 1999.
Dr. Pittman has received several awards for his distinguished career including J. O. Ritchey Society Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. His commitments to medicine and his community are numerous with several appointments at both Methodist Hospital and IU School of Medicine. John enjoyed his participation with the Scientech Club of Indianapolis. He and his late wife, Euna, were committed to furthering higher education through the establishment of multiple scholarship funds.
Tributes
"I worked with Dr. Pittman for twelve years as a perfusionist in the cardiac surgery department at Methodist Hospital. What a wonderful person to work with, and such a dedicated and skilled surgeon. He touched the lives of so many people, including mine, we will all miss him."
"Mr Pittman was a favorite customer of mine for several years,i just completed some work for him before christmas & was sad to hear of his passing. He was so proud of his large family & the new framed picture in the clubhouse he had me install a light to shine on it so it could be seen better. He was a great guy & will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him i'm sure of that."
"To the John Norman Pittman family from Dick and Norma Sarns We cherish the love and friendship we shared with your parents, John and Euna Pittman for over 50 years. Our friendship was based on trust, shared values and enjoyment of each other's company. John loved his outstanding family. You are his remarkable legacy. "
"Chad, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you peace and sympathy."
"It was a privilege having John Pittman as a professional and personal friend for over 40 years. He was a dedicated pioneer and leader in CV surgery. He and Euna could be proud of rearing a wonderful family. He left the world a better place. He will be missed my many. May he rest in peace."
"Chad, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers with the passing of your dad."
"To Steve & Chad, My heartfelt sympathy's. What a wonderful and accomplished man you dad was and to have had him for a loving father must have been a blessing. I am sure he will be missed. Be Blessed in this new year. Mike Baker MRP Real Estate Consultant Keller Williams Indy Metro & Keller Williams Gulfside Largo, FL. "
"I was sad to learn from my dad that Dr. Pittman had passed away. I still recall his generosity when visiting Chad at West Point and taking me out to dinner. Every cadet appreciate visitors from home, especially ones as nice as the Pittmans. I hope you will find comfort in the wonderful memories that Dr. Pittman left."
"Dr Pittman was a wonderful physician/surgeon/teacher/person. His desire for perfection set the standard for many surgeons from Methodist hospital. Sorry to hear of his passing and condolences to the family."
"Dear Scott, Mark, Steve, Anne and Chad: I did not know that the conversation I had with Doc (this is how I have always addressed him) on Wednesday 24 December 2014 would be the last one (on this Earth as we know it). I am glad to have known Dr. Pittman as a care client, a friend and a father. He will surely be missed! "
"Dr. Pittman was a wonderful, kind man. He will me missed by many!! My heartfelt sympathies are sent to his family, who he was very proud of. Thinking of you all during this difficult time, Michelle Laycock- Merrill Lynch"
"Scott and Chad, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. A truly great man who personified the life well lived. He was a hero of mine since a phone conversation many years ago regarding zoning challenges and his "I don't know whaveat you are talking about. I have always wanted to be a hog farmer" comment. My sincere condolences, Marty Newman "