Dr. Ernest Wilson Staub, 86, died April 17, 2018, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He impacted thousands of lives through his work as a talented surgeon, an advocate of higher education, an active member of his church, and as a loving father and devoted spouse. Wil loved his family, gardening, golf, playing piano and teaching practically anything. He will be most remembered for his warmth, love, and generosity of heart and spirit in and out of the operating room.
Born in Bronxville, NY, on Christmas Day in 1931 to Ernest and Virginia Staub, Wil grew up in Glencoe, Illinois, and attended New Trier High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University where he was captain of the swim team, a competitive diver and golfer, and a Phi Beta Kappa. He remained close to his Colgate friends throughout his life. He graduated from Northwestern University Medical School as president of Nu Sigma Nu. His graduate training in surgery was at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s in Chicago.
It was there he met the love of his life, Janet Lewis Staub, a nurse. They married in 1960 and moved to London where he was the Robertson Traveling Fellow to the London Hospital.
Dr. Staub worked with renowned heart surgeon Dr. Ormond Julian upon returning to a residency in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital. He then joined the staff of Moore Memorial Hospital in 1965 where he performed the first of many cardiac pacemaker implants. At the request of Duke University, he was honored to accept the position of Assistant Professor in Surgery, training 57 residents in thoracic surgery over the next 18 years.
He was passionate that excellent cardiac care be available in Moore County. This dream led to one of his most significant and far-reaching career achievements, laying the foundation for open heart surgery at Moore Regional Hospital (now FirstHealth). Dr. Staub inspired many individuals whose work, support and dedication built this groundbreaking program. When the first open heart operation was performed by Dr. John Krahnert in September 1990, Dr. Staub’s vision became reality. Grateful patients thanked him with everything from letters from their hearts to gifts from their gardens.
He also authored many scientific papers and served on numerous boards, including the American Medical Association, North Carolina Medical Society, American College of Surgeons, NC Board of Medical Examiners, the NC Heart Association, the Pinehurst Forum, Sandhills Community College, Habitat for Humanity and as a member of the Vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He and his wife, Jan, traveled to Haiti with a full surgical team in 1983 to volunteer their services. Dr. Staub’s gifted people-skills and ability to build passion and consensus have made a lasting impression on his community.
Dr. Staub was a committed and proud father who made time to be involved in his children’s lives. And, although his professional and community service activities left little time for play, he thoroughly enjoyed North Carolina’s beauty from the mountains to the beach and the joy of playing golf in the Sandhills as a member of the Country Club of North Carolina.
Wil and Jan enjoyed a warm and loving marriage for 58 years and parented six children who gave them 15 grandchildren: Jennifer and Oscar Hammerstein, (Dashel, Grace, and Jackson); James and Daniela Staub, (Dylan and Bianca); Julianne and Jeffrey Yaguda; (Kathryn, Zachary and Andrew); Janet and Jack Shea, (Jessie, Jared, and Jamison); John and Sophie Staub, (Finnley and Callum); Jeffrey and Whitney Staub, (Levi and Natalie).
He is also survived by his sister Sally (Terry) Hicks of Glenview, Illinois, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Kirk Staub and Ernest Flury Staub; his sister, Helen (Ralph) Staub Stowe.
Services will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018, at 2:00PM at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Southern Pines, NC. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Foundation of FirstHealth, www.firsthealth.org or The Penick Foundation, www.penickvillage.org.
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Dr. Staub’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.
