Surgeon, Pitcher, and Faithful Husband

An 87-year-old surgical legend and baseball prodigy, Donald Bruce Rhodes, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of medicine, love, and quiet heroism. Born in North Dakota, he turned down a Giants contract to pursue a scholarship at the University of Washington, where he excelled in zoology, baseball, and met his lifelong partner Alita. A decorated Army surgeon in Vietnam, he pioneered techniques for cleft palate repair and later revolutionized urological care in Santa Barbara, inventing a reverse-vasectomy device and founding the region’s first surgical center. Known for his garage animal clinic, napkin anatomy sketches, and devotion to his family and faith, he also championed his children’s music careers and donated a rare collection of C.S. Lewis first editions. He is survived by Alita, three children, and three grandchildren, with a memorial set for June 13th. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/af354d81b888e0c2