Submitted by: Dan Rich

George B. Plain, M.D.

Dec. 12, 1909 - Jan. 13, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1/22/2003

Dr. George Plain, 93, a longtime resident physician of South Bend, Ind., died at 1:40 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, in his residence. On Dec. 12, 1909, in Onalaska, Wis., he was born to the late George and Katie Baker Plain.

On Feb. 3, 1931, in Michigan City, Ind., he married Doris D. McWethy, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Agnes "Aggie" Plain Boles. Dr. Plain is survived by two children, a daughter, Sally Scheel (James) Schlobohm of South Bend, and by a son, George LeRoy (Marie) Plain, M.D., of Granger, Ind.; 10 grandchildren, David (Teresa) Plain, Caren (Peter) Davis, Dr. George Baker (Andrea) Plain, Alice Plain, Lt. Commander George (Susan) Scheel, Donald (Karen) Scheel, Dr. Frederick "Ted" (Jacqueline) Scheel, Reverend Scott (Molly) Scheel, Dan (Karen) Schlobohm and Sally (Chris) Schlobohm-Tan; 16 great-grandchildren, James and George Daniel Scheel, Donald Robert Scheel, Andrew and Danielle Scheel, Nicholas and Max Scheel, Haley Goralski, Bradley, Tyler and Lindsey Plain, Alex and Kristin Davis, Katie, Sarah and Megan Plain; and by a sister, Alice Plain Grant of Jackson, Miss.; and by two special nephews, Dan and David McWethy.

After being born in Onalaska, Wis., Dr. Plain grew up in Milton, N.D., where he graduated from high school at the early age of 16. He then enrolled in Aurora College, Ill., where he met his wife, Doris. He transferred to the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1930 with a B.A. in English. He then enrolled at Rush Medical College of the University of Chicago where he received a doctorate in medicine in 1935. From 1934-1941, Dr. Plain was an intern and resident surgeon at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich. During his residency he received an M.S. degree from the University of Michigan. Dr. Plain and his family then returned to Aurora, Ill., where he was in a group practice. In 1942 he moved to South Bend to join the South Bend Clinic. Answering the call of his country, Dr. Plain entered the U.S. Army in 1942. He served in the Southwestern Pacific Theatre as chief of surgery, executive officer, and ultimately commanding officer of 128th Station Hospital in New Guinea. Later he served as assistant consultant in general surgery for the Western Pacific Theatre in Manila, Philippines. Returning from the Pacific, he served as chief of surgery at Mary Gardiner Army General Hospital in Chicago, Ill. Dr. Plain was released from duty in 1945. Returning to South Bend in 1946, Dr. Plain resumed his surgical practice for 41 years. He published multiple articles in a variety of surgical journals over the course of his career.

Dr. Plain worked tirelessly for the Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Silver Beaver Award in 1955. In 1961 he received the Silver Antelope Award, conferred upon him by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America. Both awards were for distinguished service to youth. For over 50 years, Dr. Plain was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as trustee, deacon and elder. He served on the board of the United Way and was its president for two consecutive terms. Dr. Plain served for 23 years on the St. Joseph County Board of Health before temporarily taking the position of health officer when it became vacant in 1984. His enthusiasm for public health and safety compelled him to accept the permanent position of health officer for the next 16 years, retiring in 2000 at the age of 91.

He was a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He was a member of local and state medical societies and A.M.A., The Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces, president of the American Association of Medical Clinics from 1957-1958, recipient of the Russel V. Lee Lectureship Award from the American Group Practice Association in 1987 and the Wallace Yater Award from the AGPA in 1990, The Indiana Public Health Association and American Public Health Association, The Indiana Association of Public Health Physicians (member of the Board of Directors), elected to the South Bend Community Hall of Fame in 1995 and was presented the Key to the City of South Bend in 1997. At a community recognition dinner in honor of Dr. Plain's retirement, he was presented Keys to the Cities of South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County as Mayor Stephen J. Luecke proclaimed April 3, 2001, as Dr. George B. Plain Day.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of South Bend, with Revs. David Morrow, Don Neely and Scott P. Scheel officiating. Friends will be received an hour prior to service time and following the service in the church social hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions in memory of Dr. Plain be made to the South Bend Center for Medical Education in care of B22 Haggar Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556; to First Presbyterian Church of South Bend, 333 W. Colfax, South Bend, IN 46601; or to Boy Scouts of America, 1433 Northside Blvd, South Bend, IN 46615. The Palmer Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of arrangements.