Dr. Ferdinand S. Leacock

DR. FERDINAND S. LEACOCK, affectionately known as Ferdie, was a retired Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon. He retired from surgery in 2004 and remained active for several years as the Physician Advisor at Bon Secours Hospital. His parents, Sylvia Alkins and Ferdinand Leacock, were both immigrants from Barbados. They met and married in New York City. Dr. Leacock was born in New York City on August 8, 1934, but spent most of his childhood in Ealing Grove, Barbados. His father was a merchant seaman and out of the country most of the time. His mother was a midwife in Barbados. Because she could not practice in the U.S., she took a job as a seamstress in a factory. In order to assure good childcare for their son, she sent him to his grandmother and her two sisters in Barbados. Dr. Leacock ultimately completed his secondary education at Harrison College in Christ Church, Barbados. He then returned to New York to enter Columbia College, where he earned an A.B. degree in 1956. In 1960 he graduated from Howard University Medical School with an M.D. degree. He completed residencies in General Surgery and Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. He was board certified in both. During the course of his medical career, he had a private practice and served on the staff of hospitals in Baltimore, Maryland and Los Angeles, California. His positions included: Chief, Thoracic Surgery Department; Vice President for Medical Affairs; and Chairman, Department of Surgery. Immediately following his General Surgery residency, he was drafted. He served two years as a Captain in the U.S. Army. For six months of that time, he was a field surgeon in Pleiku, Vietnam. There is no way to know how much suffering he may have eased or how many lives he may have saved, but he received a letter that gives a glimpse. In 2017 Dr. Leacock heard directly from Major Roy Dean, Retired. This is an excerpt of what he wrote: On 3 March 1967, you were given the task of receiving me in the 18th Surgical Hospital, Pleiku. I had been hit with incoming artillery, my face, both shoulders, and chest which damaged my liver, gall bladder and several ribs. For four days every time I woke up, I would see your face and watch your hands do their magic on my body to make it better…For fifty years I have seen your face and hands, not knowing who you were…It would be nice to talk [in order to] express my thanks to you for saving my life. Major Dean’s medical records had been destroyed in a fire, but Roy Dean’s children tracked down Dr. Leacock. Roy Dean sent his phone number, suggesting a phone call. Fifty years after they shared the same space in a tented field hospital in Vietnam, Ferdinand did reach out to Roy. They talked and reminisced. The same skill, compassion, and steadfast dedication demonstrated by that 33-year-old fledgling surgeon embodied his medical practice throughout his career. His career was his calling. In his junior year at Columbia College, he met Yvonne Smith in a religion class. He was smitten and pursued her relentlessly. They were married on September 12, 1958, a union that lasted 64 years and was a true partnership. Dr. Leacock had a solo practice, which required his attention 24/7. Yvonne managed the couple’s business affairs and the intricacies of daily life for a household of six. Over the years they enjoyed short family trips, large parties with extended family, and quiet weekend getaways as a couple. His most meaningful travel was two pilgrimages to the Holy Land under the leadership of the late Reverend Wendell H. Phillips. While there he was baptized in the Jordan River. He also joined Yvonne in spiritual retreats, Bible study, and Sunday school, where he was an earnest and probing participant. Despite his demanding schedule, he always made time to support his children in their interests and activities. For the sons, that usually meant attending the games of many, varied team sports. One year he stepped up to the plate and coached Keith’s little league baseball team. In her teen years, he took Adrienne by train to New York City every August. They would get off the train, drop their bags at the hotel, and hit the streets to shop for school clothes; visit his mother and uncle; and explore the city. Ferdie and all of the children loved amusement parks, especially the wild rides. With an 11-year difference between the eldest and the youngest child, he enjoyed a long stretch. Eventually, time caught up with him. He could no longer tolerate some of the rides, but he continued to enjoy these trips with the two younger children. He was a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He treasured the fellowship of his Gamma Boule brothers and enjoyed their informative lectures and lively discussions. In his later years his friend and colleague, William Hankins, invited him to travel with a group to France and Spain. After that trip he continued to take time for additional international travel. Dr. Leacock was a fierce competitor on the tennis courts and at the bid whist table. He preferred tough opponents, and he loved to win. Dr. Leacock died at home October 5 after more than eight years of treatment for multiple myeloma. He was 88. He is survived by his loving wife, who was at his side until his last breath; four children, Kent Leacock (Sara Perez), Keith Leacock, Stephen Leacock, and Adrienne Leacock (Scott Wallin) and three grandchildren, Carl Leacock, Cole Leacock and Zoe Leacock Wallin.

Tributes

Dr. Ferdinand S. Leacock

August 8, 1934 - October 5, 2022