Frank J. Boutin Sr., a surgeon known by many as the “father of orthopedics” in Sacramento, passed away on November 9, 2013 at the age of 93. Dr. Boutin is survived by his wife of 69 years, Charlotte “Tink” Boutin; daughter, Sue Boutin Atkinson; five sons, Steve, Peter, Don, Frank Jr., and Robert; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves a cadre of friends, colleagues and patients whose lives were touched by the “gentleman surgeon.”
Born on June 9, 1920 in Spokane, Washington, Dr. Boutin went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1942. He then enlisted in the Army, attended Stanford Medical School, and then served at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
After his Army service, Dr. Boutin and his family headed back to the West Coast where he served as chief resident at Stanford University Hospital and San Francisco General Hospital. In 1953, the family moved to Woodland, California, so that Dr. Boutin could become the first orthopedic surgeon at the Woodland Clinic.
Robert Szabo, M.D. was a longtime colleague of Frank Boutin. He tells OTW, “I think Frank would most like to be remembered for being a patient advocate. Two things mattered to him: family and patients…and he treated patients like family.”
“Frank Boutin was one of the first people doing orthopedics in Sacramento. He dispensed a lot of good advice about setting up practices; in fact, he was the ‘go-to’ guy in this respect. He was the quintessential gentleman in every way.”
David Coward, M.D. remembers his friend and colleague as “setting the standard for patient care in the community.” Dr. Coward tells OTW, “‘the man of integrity walks securely.’ Frank J. Boutin Sr., M.D. was such a man. Dr. Boutin loved the practice of medicine and devoted his life to caring for his patients for over 40 years. He was extremely dedicated to always doing the right thing for the patient. He mentored all of the ‘new orthopedic surgeons’ with his sage advice when we began our orthopedic practices in Sacramento. He had a tremendous influence on the entire orthopedic community in Sacramento. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on. He set the bar at a high level for all of us. Dr. Frank J. Boutin, Sr. was a great man, a wonderful friend and an amazing orthopedic surgeon.”
“Here’s one story from the memorial service that captures his dedication and concern for patient care: ‘Frank would never drink alcohol for 72 hours before any planned surgical procedure. And to take it one step further, he would not drink for 72 hours if there was even a chance he might be performing surgery. Needless to say Frank Boutin Sr., M.D. was not a drinking man!”
Frank Boutin, Sr., M.D. had influences over many careers, including his son, Frank Jr, who is an orthopedist. Another son, Robert Boutin, M.D. is a professor subspecializing in an orthopedic radiology. He tells OTW:
“The headline in the newspaper called my dad the “Father of Orthopedics in Sacramento”, earning this reputation because he was the consummate professional…always a complete gentleman and skilled surgeon. He was a trusted source to consult on difficult cases, brought his integrity to difficult decision making, and mentored generations of younger orthopedists that subsequently began practicing in the Sacramento area.”
“He was also a go-to guy for getting difficult things done across a broad range of orthopedic disciplines. Reflecting on his career that started during World War II, I can see why that generation is referred to as The Greatest Generation. His career began by caring for World War II soldiers with orthopedic wounds and training under Sterling Bunnell, the Father of Hand Surgery. But his career also included a wide array of other orthopedic subspecialties, including pediatric orthopedics, spine, arthroplasty, and arthroscopy. Constantly training to learn new techniques/information as it came along was extremely important to him.”
“What would my dad want us to remember about him? His dedication to his patients. After all, what would a weekend be without making several house calls! He loved it.”
“There are so many lessons one could learn from my Father’s life, but one aspect that permeates all others was his sense of duty. Yes, when there was a duty—or work—to be done, he did it. And thrived on it! In fact, I never heard him complain once about work. And much more incredibly, my mother adamantly maintains that she never heard him complain about work. Over 69 years of marriage—without complaining to your spouse about work. If that’s not proof that they just don’t make ‘em like they used to, I don’t know what is! Why didn’t he complain? He LOVED his work.”
“As you may know, surgeons like to get up early, and it didn’t matter whether my Father was going to the operating room or to the ski slopes—he was still the most driven person I’ve ever met. My Father had been a child in The Great Depression, and that had made a profound impression on him. As a kid, Dad truly came to know the value of even a single penny…and he wanted us kids to know it, too. So, although we got up early, and we got to slopes early—and it was cold—we were not cold for long. That’s because, until half-day ski-lift tickets went on sale, at mid-day, Dad would have us side step up the hill—climb the hill under our own power—and then ski down with him. He knew that there is a certain joy that comes with appreciation and there is pride that comes with accomplishment—even on the ski slopes.”
“Dad headed a bilingual household…not French or Spanish, but ‘medical-ese.’ Not a Thanksgiving goes by that I don’t think of him carving a big juicy turkey, with surgical precision, and then quizzing us on the bird’s anatomy.
“What do you think this muscle does?” …he’d ask.
“What’s its anatomic origin?” … as he meticulously sliced the turkey breast.
“How about its insertion site?” … as he put another helping on your plate.
“Those interactions echo every time I quiz one of my medical students, or residents, or fellows—asking them exactly the same anatomic questions, when we’re looking at MRIs…on humans.
“I haven’t done it yet on turkeys.”
They definitely don’t make ‘em like they used to!
Contributions have been made on Dr. Boutin’s behalf to establish a Grand Rounds Lectureship in orthopedic surgery at the University of California Davis. For further information, please contact Robert Boutin, M.D. at rboutin@stanfordalumni.org.
I was a patient. of this Doctor. . late 60 to 70s