Frank Hays Critchfield, Jr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: April 10, 1918, Died: Novwmber 2, 2014

    Frank Hays Critchfield, Jr., MD, 96, passed away on November 2, 2014 at the Cypress Glen Retirement Community, Greenville, NC.

    Frank was born on April 10, 1918 in Glassport, Pa to Frank Hays Critchfield and Catherine Cassidy Critchfield. After graduating second in his class in 1936 from Glassport High School, he enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1943 with a BS in Biology after working his way through school. He then was accepted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, receiving his MD in 1947. Shortly after he was appointed as a Lieutenant JG in the United States Naval Reserve. He completed his Medical Internship in 1948 at the Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, and his Residency in 1951 at the Magee Hospital in Pittsburgh. Following his Residency, he entered active military service as a medical officer in obstetrics and gynecology at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md, and then on to the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, NJ. In 1954, following his military service, he entered private practice at the Euclid Clinic Foundation in Euclid, Ohio. From 1967 to 1970, he was the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Euclid General Hospital, Euclid, Ohio, and an Instructor in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. As a Fellow of Perinatal Research at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, he developed a Fetal ECG Telemetry Monitoring System, and published the results, in collaboration with M.R. Neuman and W.C. Lin of Case Western Reserve, Cleveland.

    In 1976, he semi- retired to the Pamlico River at Bayview, NC and entered private medical practice in Belhaven, fully retiring in 1983. Frank was a member of the International Obstetrics- Gynecology Society, National and International Biomedical Engineering Society, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Fetal Health, and the American Medical Association- A.M.A. and received the Physician's Recognition Award from the A.M.A. in 1969.

    Frank was an acclaimed thespian in high school and college, acting with the Pitt Players at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and also the Mckeesport Cue and Curtain Players. His performance in the comedy "Another Language" before Paramount screen scouts at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in the 1936 - 1937 season resulted in a screen test at the Twentieth Century- Fox Offices in New York. After retirement his passion for weaving led him to volunteer as a weaver and docent at the Bath Historical Center in Bath, NC. His main interest was in the weaving of African Kente designs. He developed a method for weaving Kente using conventional American looms, very likely the first person in the United States to do this and publish the results. His weaving entries commanded first place in 1998 and 1999, and second place in 2003 and 2005 in the State Finals for the North Carolina Senior Games.

    Frank was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Milton, Merele, and Orlo; and his grandson, Sloan Critchfield.

    Frank is survived by Frances Henry Critchfield, his loving wife of nearly 70 years, beloved daughter Cathy L. Critchfield of Greenville, NC, son David H. Critchfield and wife Triss, of S. Portland, ME, granddaughter Betsy.

    At Dr. Critchfield's request, he has been cremated. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Medical Alumni Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh to assist needy students with their tuition, by calling 1-800-817-8943 or by mailing a check to University of Pittsburgh, Records Management, Park Plaza, 128 Craig Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 15260.

    Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory, Greenville.

    Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com