ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993                   TAG: 9305280291
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-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.



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