Philip Rue Frederick, M.D. was born in Spokane, Washington on July 8, 1922 the first child of Walter Eberts Frederick and Mabel Rue Frederick. He passed away April 14, 2015. After childhood in Spokane he attended Washington State University for 3 years and while there joined the U.S. Navy Reserve. He went on to Northwestern University Medical School after which he completed a residency in radiology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. After 2 years in the U.S. Air Force he returned to the LDS hospital to join his mentor, Dr. Earl R. Crowder. Following Dr. Crowder's retirement Phil became chairman of the department and served in that capacity until he retired in 1994.
For Phil, education was always very important and he spent countless hours studying, in order to stay on the cutting edge of radiologic advancements as well as spending time on a daily basis with physicians and students. He was always looking for ways to make medicine better for patients. Out of this quest he invented, with Dr. Mark Miller, the Miller/Frederick feeding tube which is now used in hospitals all over the country.
Phil was an accomplished pilot and flew his own airplane to medical meetings and for pleasure. He patented a radar system for small planes to assist pilots flying toward a storm in their assessment of the storm's severity. He was always thinking of ways to make air travel safer.
He and Lois Roberts were married in 1949 and had one child, Carolyn. Both Lois and Carolyn predeceased him. He is survived by one sister, Catherine Roland (Leonard) of Portland, Oregon.
At Phil's request no memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers a contribution to the Intermountain Research and Medical Foundation, www.Imedicalfoundation.org is suggested. Please leave online condolences for the family at www.larkinmortuary.com.
