Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 27, 1993 TAG: 9305270282
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
OBIT BRANCH, DAVID WARE
BRANCH, David Ware, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, May 26, 1993, at home,
following an extended illness. He was a prominent area physician. Dr. Branch
was born in Richmond on September 28, 1924, to the late David Albert Branch
and Sue Ware Branch. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in the Pacific
Theater during World War II. Dr. Branch obtained his undergraduate degree from
the University of Richmond. He completed medical school and residency in
Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Virginia. He moved to
Roanoke in July, 1956 and practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology here for nearly
35 years, retiring in August of 1990. Dr. Branch was a Fellow of the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Diplomate of the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served numerous leadership roles in the
southwestern Virginia medical community and was past Chief of Staff of the
Roanoke Memorial Hospital and past president of the Roanoke Valley Obstetrical
and Gynecological Society. He was also a member of numerous regional and
national professional organizations, including the American Medical
Association, and the Medical Society of Virginia. He was a member and past
president of the South Central Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, the
Virginia Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, and the H. Hudnell Ware Jr.
Society. He also served on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood and
the Advisory Board of Virginia First Savings Bank. Dr. Branch received
particular professional gratification through his service on the Board of
Directors of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Southwestern Virginia, the Board of
Directors of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia, and the Virginia State Board
of Medicine. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Blue Cross/Blue Shield
of Virginia. Dr. Branch was an active member, deacon, and elder of the First
Presbyterian Church of Roanoke. Dr. Branch is survived by his wife, Barbara
Richie Branch; one son, Dr. D. Ware Branch Jr. and his wife, Linda, Salt Lake
City, Utah; two daughters, Lee Branch Marks and her husband, Michael, Durham,
N.C., and Martha Branch Bowers and her husband, Paul, Richmond, Va.; and one
brother, John Kimbrough Branch, Kenner, La.; also surviving are five
grandchildren, Samantha Lee Branch, Ryan Ware Branch, Catherine Whitney Marks,
Michael Brandon Marks, and Meredith Ware Bowers. A memorial service will be
conducted at the First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke at noon Friday, May 28,
by Rev. Robert D. Smith and Rev. Jesse M. Bratton. The family will receive
friends at their residence, 1232 Persinger Road. The family suggests that
memorials be made to the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (1012 East
Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23219), the Roanoke Memorial Hospital Foundation
(P.O. Box 13367, Roanoke, VA 24033), or the First Presbyterian Church (P.O.
Box 8538, Roanoke, VA 24014). Arrangements are being handled by Oakey's
Roanoke Chapel.
by CNB