(This was written on March 6, 2005 when Dr. Greenlee passed away. In a post of “Pittsburgh” by Dr. Cheng-Hung Lin, he showed the picture of Cathedral of Learning and mentioned the graduation today; a day like this I always think about Dr. Greenlee.
Dr. and Mrs. Greenlee are our “American parents”; Dr. Greenlee passed away at age of 102 five years ago and Mrs. Greenlee is now in her 90s. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Greenlee went to Mayo Clinic for surgical training in early 1920s. He helped fund-raising to build the Cathedral of Learning. Their grandson, Dr. Adam Greenlee, graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine today. Congratulations!)
In searching for my final tribute to Dr. Greenlee, I came across what Homer Koch of Kansas spoke of Lincoln in the House of Representatives February 12, 1923. A towering figure Dr. Greenlee was, this fits him well.
“There is no new thing to be said about Dr. Greenlee. There is no new thing to be said of the mountains, or of the sea, or of the stars. The years go their way, but the same old mountains lift their granite shoulders above the drifting clouds; the same mysterious sea beats upon the shore; the same silent stars keep holy vigil above a tired world. But to the mountains and sea and stars men turn forever in unwearied homage. And thus with Dr. Greenlee. For he was a mountain in grandeur of soul, he was a sea in deep undervoice of mystic loneliness, he was a star in steadfast purity of purpose and service. And he abides.”
When I said of all the people that I came to personally know, Dr. Greenlee was the one I respected the most; Josephine said regardless how great or how respectable he was, he will always be her loving Grandpa Greenlee. Janice most remembers learning patience and steady work from working in the garden with him as well as the simple pleasures of watching baseball and football games on TV.
Every one he touched was blessed; everyone he cut (as far as his profession goes) was blessed. A surgeon trained at Mayo Clinic in 1920s at the time when the Mayo Brothers were still operating and when the great surgeons in the nation were produced at the legendary pioneering institution. And yet he practiced medicine following what Dr. William Osler said about the character of a good doctor: availability, affability, and ability, and in that order.
We learn his humility in his daily life, and his humanity from the trips to the farm we took with him. His love, devotion and tender care extended beyond his families and patients to all the ‘children’ in the farm.
When we first had the good fortune to be his neighbor in 1976, we visited the Agway store. Knowing we were the newcomers in town, the owner asked us where we lived. I replied that we live next to Dr. Greenlee. And much to my surprise that the owner said, “I know him, he is a good farmer!” That was the beginning that we learn medicine was not the only profession he had.
II Timothy 4:7
Apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
No doubt we have heard our dear Paul said the same thing justifiably.
II Timothy 4:8
“In the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
We now know where Dr. Greenlee is, and we’re assured that he will continue to touch us, to bless us, and will ‘reserve’ a seat for us, and we shall meet again.
And above all, we all know he was and will always be the Number One of the Audrey [Mrs. Greenlee] Fan Club.
