Charles Frederick Kittle

Dr. Charles Frederick Kittle, born on October 24, 1921 in Athens, OH to Frederick F. and Nora (Ida) Falls Kittle, passed away peacefully in Chicago in the early morning of October 18, 2015, at the age of 93. Kittle was a brilliant student who developed a deep interest in science, books, and collecting at a young age. He attended Ohio University in Athens, receiving his degree in Biology with honors in 1942. Kittle enlisted in the U. S. Navy during WWII, continuing his medical studies and receiving his MD with honors from the University of Chicago Medical School in 1945. After completing his Naval career in California, he travelled to the University of Kansas to complete his residency, where he discovered the school’s vast library on the history of medicine, igniting another lifelong passion. He graduated with honors in Surgery in 1947. Always inquisitive and driven to learn more about complex medical conditions, Dr. Kittle was drawn to the budding disciplines of oncology (lung), and the developing field of cardiovascular surgery that grew out of the war. He would become a pioneer in these fields during his long and productive medical career. Kittle’s noteworthy contributions to medicine were a campaign in 1964 to ban cigarette vending machines on hospital, college, and university campuses, making Kansas the first state to enact such restrictions. As Head of Cardiology at the University of Chicago Hospital, he became a surgical pioneer by performing the first heart transplant operation in Chicago in November 1969. Over the course of his career, from which he retired in 1992, Dr. Kittle held numerous offices for national, international, and regional professional medical organizations while serving on the faculty of the University of Kansas, University of Chicago, Rush Medical School, and Rush Cancer Center. His authorship of 200 papers on medical history, case studies, experimental surgery, and new medical procedures were recognized in 1967 by his endowment with an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Ohio University for “exemplary devotion to your profession . . . [and for] research in the areas of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery [which] has led to important new knowledge.” In 1996 he was honored with Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by Ohio University. He left a legacy in their Medical School by establishing the Rush Elliott Endowed Professorship to honor this influential professor and mentor. Dr. Kittle’s wide-ranging interests included book collecting, particularly in the field of medical history. This led to his discovery of the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the detective writer of Sherlock Holmes mysteries. His wife, Ann Bates Kittle, shared his appreciation for Doyle. Kittle’s collection of original hand-written manuscripts, first editions of Doyle’s books and magazine articles, personal letters, and original artwork, soon expanded to include works by Doyle’s multi-talented family members. His quest even led to the rare experience of visiting Dame Jean Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s last surviving daughter, in England. Kittle’s collection would become known internationally as one of the finest and largest gatherings of Doyle material anywhere. Dr. Kittle was inducted into Chicago’s Caxton Club in 1985, a group of bibliophiles formed in 1895 to promote the book arts and appreciation for books. Dr. and Mrs. Kittle generously donated their vast and important Dr. and Mrs. C. F. Kittle Collection of Doyleana to the Newberry Library in 2003, from which the library mounted a distinguished exhibition on Doyle that same year. The exhibition drew some of the largest crowds the library has ever seen. Dr. Kittle served as a Life Trustee of the Newberry Library until his passing. Dr. C. F. Kittle was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeane, and eldest daughter Candace. The highlight of his personal life were love for his wife Ann, and his abiding interest in his children Brad (Kim), Leslie Wilkin (Tom) and Brian (Carol), his 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He chose to be buried in Athens, OH with generations of family members. A graveside service will be held at West Union Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Donations in memory of Dr. Kittle can be made to the Rush Elliott Endowed Professorship at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Arrangements are by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home. You may sign the online guestbook or send the family a private message of sympathy at our website, www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.