Ben Washburn

MADISON - Walter L. "Ben" Washburn passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at age 90.

Ben was born in Portage on September 4, 1924, the son of the late Walter B. and Grace (Hettinger) Washburn. He married Sarah Ann Tillotson on October 25, 1946.

He attended the UW Medical School and graduated on May 24, 1947. He completed his residency in Kansas City, MO. Ben was a veteran having served with the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. Due to a doctor's draft in 1955, he spent 17 months in Bremerhaven, Germany. He and his family returned to Madison in 1957.

Ben was a Family Practitioner for 44 years. After working for area hospitals and clinics, he opened the Odana Medical Clinic. He loved his practice, patients, and colleagues. He had the utmost admiration and respect for the nurses with whom he worked. He was the former Chief of Staff of Madison General Hospital, served on the Medical Ethics Committee, was the former Chairman of the Medical Assistant Advisory Committee at MATC and former Secretary of the State Medical Examining Board (4 years). He was also a member of the Madison Audubon Society, Physicians for Social Responsibility and a longtime member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Beginning with their experiences in Germany, Ben and Sally became avid travelers. They developed interest in other countries, cultures, history and the wellbeing of people all around the world. This led them to travels in Russia, China, and Africa as well as to India, Nepal and Pakistan, where Ben did volunteer medical work.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 68 years, Sarah "Sally"; three daughters, Mary, Barbara, and Nancy; son-in-law, Mark Spring; five grandchildren, Sara and Alex Spring, Amy (Max) Pecherskiy and Tim Leary, and Noelle Luce; and one great-granddaughter, Emma Luce.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 Segoe Road with the Rev. Dr. Charlie Berthoud officiating. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations may be made to Madison Audubon Society Faville Grove Preserve, IRC (International Rescue Committee, for Nepal) or your charity of choice.

Please share your memories of Ben at www.cressfuneralservice.com


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434