Page 20 - 2023-July-August-Journal_Handy

In Memoriam

The Medical Society extends deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the following physicians.

Patrick Beckham MD

Patrick Beckham, MD, 88, passed were no longer there. This endowment was instrumental
away on April 30. A native of Lamesa, in helping the entire orphanage with 90 plus orphans
Texas, he was a graduate of Baylor escape, bringing them all through a dramatic and
College of Medicine and completed miraculous journey to the Buckner Children’s Home in
an internship and three years of Dallas. As adults, they still celebrate their long journey to
a General Surgery residency at the United States.
Minneapolis General Hospital. His After completing his Air Force service in the
training was interrupted by service in the Air Force Philippines, Dr. Beckham and his bride, Margene, returned
in 1966, spending his first year stationed as a general to the States, where he completed additional training in
surgeon at the US Military Base at Cam Ranh Bay in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a hand fellowship
Vietnam. Dr. Beckham had served as a missionary at before moving to Austin where he began his long career
a hospital in post-war Korea while in medical school, in private practice.
there meeting orphaned children and seeing the plight of During those years in practice, along with Drs. Jim
unsupported orphanages left after the Korean War. While Fox and Jim Cullington, then a generation of volunteers,
serving at Cam Ranh Bay, he founded an orphanage, the he founded Austin Smiles, an organization that since
Cam Ranh City Christian Orphanage. He worked with 1987 has blessed thousands of Latin American children
the Chaplain at the air base and Christian missionaries in with life-changing cleft palate surgery. Dr. Beckham had
the area to set up an organization with an endowment to a golden voice and sang in choirs and in quartets over the
supply regular income to the orphanage after the troops years. He loved cycling, flying, and Baylor football.

James Prentice, MD

James Prentice, MD, 86, passed Upon their return to Austin, he joined Austin
away from ALS on May 19. He was Anesthesiology Group and practiced there until his
witty, gregarious, and generous. He retirement in 2002.
was a rare combination of dignified Always community engaged, Dr. Prentice served on
and humorous: a connoisseur of the vestries of Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester
classical music and comic strips and and St. David’s Church (Austin.) He served as president
excelled at correcting grammar and of the Travis County Medical Society in 1996. He was an
was quick with a joke. Above all, he believed in helping active and productive board member of many
others and led by example. organizations, including the TMA Foundation (president
Dr. Prentice was a graduate of Austin High, UT 2017-2019,) Paramount Theater president), the Austin
Austin and UT Southwestern Medical School. He Symphony, UT College of Natural Sciences Advisory
served in the US Air Force Medical Corps, completing his Council (president), the UT Foundation (president),
anesthesiology residency at Bethesda Naval Medical and the foundations of St. David’s Church and
Center and Yale-New Haven Medical Center, then the St. David’s Hospital.
USAF Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base. Friend and colleague, Dr. Joe Annis, recalls, “He
Dr. Prentice and his wife, Linda, were married in brought more than just his professional medical skills
1967, with Linda attending medical school at Georgetown back to Austin, he brought a deep-felt commitment to
University in Washington, DC while he continued his public service. He treasured his friendships and made
service as an anesthesiologist in the Air Force, retiring in regular efforts to keep in touch with friends. He
1970 with the rank of Major. They moved to Rochester extended multiple little kindnesses that sometimes
MN in 1970 where he joined the staff of Mayo Clinic. made big differences.”

20 2023 July • August TCMS