F. Putney Obituary

PUTNEY, F. Johnson F. Johnson Putney, MD 94, of Charleston, died Friday December 17, 2004 at a local hospital. He was born January 30, 1910 in Easton, MD, a son of the late Floyd Witt and Bessie Johnson Putney. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Verna Schole Putney and a son, John Randolph Putney. Dr. Putney was a giant in the specialty of otolaryngology. He attended St John's High School in Darlington and Washington and Lee University in Virginia. A graduate of Furman University and Jefferson Medical College, he completed pathology and rotating medical/surgical internships at Jefferson. While serving a preceptorship, he also studied anatomy at Harvard Medical School. He finished residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and was a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Putney served in the United States Army in World War II and received the Meritorious Service Award. After the war, he taught and practiced at Jefferson and other Philadelphia hospitals. He moved to Charleston in 1967, joining the Medical University of South Carolina faculty in the Department of Otolaryngology as Professor of Otolaryngology. A founding member and first treasurer of the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Putney also served as President of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, the American Laryngological Association (he was a Guest of Honor for both), and the South Carolina Otolarynological Society. He held offices in numerous other societies, including the American College of Surgeons, and was well known for his editorial abilities as the author of over 100 articles and several book chapters. Dr. Putney was a recipient of the Newcomb Award and was elected an Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery in 1996. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Virginia; sons, Floyd Witt Putney, MD and his wife, Jan of Summerville, Stephen Kenneth Putney of Charleston, Todd Andrew Putney and his wife, Mary Stewart of Roanoke, VA; a daughter, Elizabeth Anne Putney of Savannah, GA; grandchildren, Meredith Putney Anderson, Lauren Elizabeth Putney, Floyd Johnson Putney II, Grace Ellen Putney, and Harrison Randolph Putney. Graveside services will be held Monday, December 20, 2004 at 1PM at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 7PM Sunday December 19, 2004 at McAlister Smith Funeral Home, 150 Wentworth St, Charleston. In Lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to; F. Johnson Putney Head and Neck Cancer Lectureship, 135 Rutledge Ave., P.O. Box 250550, Charleston, SC, 29425 or The Salvation Army, 4248 Dorchester Rd., N. Charleston, SC, 29405. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.