NEWS from The Corvallis Clinic
July 14, 2014
Judy Corwin 541-754-1374
LONGTIME CORVALLIS CLINIC PHYSICIAN, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND ARTS SUPPORTER LEMAN DIES
CORVALLIS — Dr. Craig B. Leman, who practiced at The Corvallis Clinic from 1957 to 1999 and was its fifteenth physician member, has died. He was 91.
A memorial Service is planned for Saturday, August 2, 10:30 AM, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd., Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to consider a donation to Community Outreach.
Practicing well into his 70s, he retired as a physician in the Immediate Care Center after a long and respected career as a general surgeon.
“He was a giant, and one of the Clinic’s founding fathers,” said Dr. John Gotchall, a Clinic pulmonologist.
“Not only was Dr. Leman a long-time Clinic leader,” said Clinic CEO Andrew Perry, “but he was also exceptionally active in the community and one the instrumental drivers behind our community ban on public smoking. Although Dr. Leman retired several years ago, many of us have had the privilege to know him and his wife, Nancy, as they have been active attendees at many Clinic functions over the years.”
He was active and supported such local organizations as the Greenbelt Land Trust, Oregon Cultural Trust, and many arts and music groups throughout the community.
During World War II, Dr. Leman was a rifle platoon leader with the Fifth Marine Division at Iwo Jima where he received the Purple Heart and the Silver Start. After recovering from his injuries, he was with the occupation forces in Japan and saw the devastation the atomic bomb had wrought at Nagasaki. From these experiences he became a peace activist and was a member of the Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Said Dr. John Erkkila, retired orthopedic surgeon at The Corvallis Clinic, “Dr. Leman and (the late) Dr. David Kliewer were moral compasses at The Corvallis Clinic. Their compassion, intelligence and love of the medical profession guided those of us who followed.”
The Corvallis Clinic, an independent, physician-led medical group, is a comprehensive multi-specialty organization, serving Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties. It offers more than 100 board-certified providers and advanced professionals in 27 specialties at seven area locations. As the fifth-largest area employer, The Clinic has 600 employees.
