ABERCROMBIE, Wm. Wayne, M.D.-- Born May 3, 1921. Died December 11, 2002. Survived by daughter Karen Abercrombie; son and daughter-in-law David and Pam Abercrombie; grandchildren Paul, Carolyn, and John Abercrombie; sister-in-law Margaret Main. Services have been held. Memorials to UC San Francisco School of Medicine or Nursing.

No one who knew Dr. Wayne Abercrombie could deny that he had a full, wonderful life. He passed away on December 11, just three months after losing his wife of 53 years, Louise, who passed on September 11.

Wayne was born in Long Beach, CA, where he was a classmate, from the 7th grade on, of his future bride, Louise Simpson, who had moved to Long Beach from her birthplace of La Junta, CO. He enlisted in the Navy in early 1942 and served as a fighter pilot on the USS Gambier Bay in the Pacific theater in World War II, while Louise completed her nursing degree. Louise then enlisted and served as an Army nurse, later continuing that career as a Public Health Nurse for the Cupertino School District. After Wayne left active service, remaining in the Naval Reserve until 1961, he went to medical school on the GI Bill at UC San Francisco, which was also Louise's alma mater. On June 28, 1949, they married in Long Beach.

Dr. Abercrombie established his practice as a General Practitioner in east San Jose in 1953, where he was one of the founding board members of Alexian Brothers Hospital. When asked why he didn't go into a lucrative specialty practice, he said that what the community needed most was ""someone to go out and take care of sick people.' Back in those days, he literally did ""go out' - making house calls at all hours, even delivering babies - whatever was needed. He always kept current in his field, attending continuing education sessions long after his retirement in 1987 - provided they weren't held on a Wednesday during duck season.

Wayne was an enthusiastic hunter of all kinds of game, duck hunting right up until last year, and he and his wife both loved the outdoors - no surprise they were avid golfers. They spent vacations camping in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite, hiking and fishing, from 1947 on. They also spent many happy times with close friends at Dillon Beach on clamming trips - complete with early morning Porch Climbers, of course.

Many times while Wayne was off on a hunting trip, or maybe just staying home with a good book (he was a voracious reader), Louise would go on an exotic vacation with her sister Margaret. Or while Wayne was out hiking in the desert hunting for arrowheads, Louise would go deal hunting at the Tahoe area garage sales. They didn't shirk on their indoor activities, though, throwing frequent dancing parties in years past, and in years more recent, parties with a little less dancing and a little more laughing.

Wayne would never miss an opportunity to cause or share laughter with anyone. He and his wife were a fun and loving couple who had a long, happy life together, shared with wonderful friends and a grateful family. They will be fondly remembered.

San Jose Mercury News (CA) - Sunday, December 29, 2002

William Wayne Abercrombie (1921)