David Perl North

November 19, 1942 - February 26, 2011

David North, 68, of Wausau, died Feb 26, 2011, at home. He had been diagnosed with a motor neuron disease in November.

Dave was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, the only child of Mary Catherine (Wells) and Karl North. He earned his bachelor's degree in microbiology and his Doctor of Medicine from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dave was an active member of the OSU Marching Band and was privileged to be a part of the honor and tradition associated with it. Additionally, Dave was involved in activities at the Westminster Foundation, where he met Judith Mehrling. In Jun 1964, Dave and Judy were married at The Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Columbus, OH.

Upon completion of his medical degree, Dave participated in an internship at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus. Following his internship, Dave entered the U.S. Air Force and served as a flight surgeon. During his service, he completed an aerospace medicine primary course. Following his U.S. Air Force service, Dave completed a family practice residency at Ohio State University. Dave's education continued throughout his career as a family physician. Dave was board certified as a Diplomat American Board of Family Practice and held a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine/American Board of Family Practice. One of Dave's passions was hospice, and he has been board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine since 1997.

Upon completion of his residency program, Dave and Judy moved to Wausau, where Dave joined the former Wausau Medical Center as the first board certified family physician. He was involved in both the establishment of the Wausau Family Practice Residency Program and the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services program. Dave served as hospice director for many years while simultaneously providing instruction to resident physicians through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. In his capacity as clinical professor, Dave influenced the lives and careers of many resident physicians and patients. He thought of his patients, both at Wausau Medical Center and the Family Practice Residency, as chosen family. To this end, he often made house calls, supported multiple community organizations, and took the time to appreciate and learn about each of his patients.

While serving patients in the Wausau community, Dave served on numerous committees, boards and professional societies. The Bioethics Committee at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, the Education Committee of the Wisconsin Ethics Committee Network and the Clinical Pastoral Education Advisory Committee at Aspirus Wausau Hospital were several committees that held personal significance. Additionally, Dave was a member in several professional societies, including the Marathon County Medical Society, Wisconsin State Medical Society, American Medical Association, Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Hospice Organization, American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

Throughout his life in Wausau, Dave was active at the First Presbyterian Church. Dave was involved in the establishment of a parish nurse position. He regularly served as a member of Session and was active in many different committees throughout his life in the church. Dave devoted much time and effort to the building addition project, which ensured First Presbyterian was accessible to all who wished to worship in the space. His most personally rewarding service to the church was serving with Judy as advisors to the Senior High Youth Fellowship.

His mother and father preceded Dave in death.

He is survived by his wife, Judy North (nee Mehrling) of Wausau; two sons, Michael (Rachel) Klemp-North of Wausau and Stephen North (Jennifer Larson) of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Five grandchildren, Alexandra, Thalia and Cayden Klemp-North, and Oscar and Elias North; and an uncle and cousins also survive him.

Dave was a member of the marching band from 1960 through 1963. He played Alto Horn in C-Row.