Dr. William F. Enneking, a co-founder of the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine, passed away July 17 at the age of 88. Dr. Enneking was the first chief of orthopedic medicine at the UF College of Medicine and the first chair of the department of orthopedics and rehabilitation.
Dr. Enneking is survived by his wife, Edith Ellett Ennkeing. He is also survived by seven children, sixteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. The children and their spouses are Bill and Heidi, Bonnie and Dan, Maggie, Via and Ray, Flossie, Kayser and Mark, and Christjohn. Their grandchildren and their spouses are Erica and Thom, Teena and Robbie, Emily and Branden, Will, Maggie and Jamie, Jessica and Nate, Daniel, Maury, Raymond, Christopher Blake, Megan, Florence, and their father Blake, Olivia, Andrew, Emery, and Madelon, and their mother Danielle. The great-grandchildren are Thomas, Alex, Olivia, Robert, Milo, Annaliese, and Theo also a sister, Mary Claire Enneking Schroeder. A memorial service is planned for 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gainesville, Florida. A celebration will be held after the service at the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1926, Dr. Enneking earned his M.D. at the University of Wisconsin in 1949, and then interned at the University of Colorado for one year. From 1952-55 he completed an orthopedic residency at the University of Chicago. He spent nine years in the U.S. Navy (1943-1952) and in 1955 became an Instructor in orthopedics at the University of Chicago. In 1956 he moved on to the University of Mississippi where he served as Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery. The remainder of his stellar career was spent at the University of Florida, where served as chair from 1974-1980.
Mark Scarborough, M.D. is the William F. Enneking, William E. Anspach and Orthopedic Alumni Chair in the College of Medicine Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida. He is also Dr. Enneking’s son-in-law. Regarding his father-in-law’s experience of being founding chair of the UF orthopedic department, Dr. Scarborough noted, “He thought it was exciting to be part of a new medical school and he delighted in educating young medical students to be great physicians. He always said you can train monkeys but you educate doctors.”
Dr. Enneking was a founding member and past president of the International Limb Salvage Society. Dr. Scarborough commented, “He was at the forefront of limb salvage surgery. Prior to his era, most patients with malignant bone tumors underwent amputation. He developed much of the cognitive framework that guides the field of musculoskeletal oncology today.”
As for what his residents said about him, Dr. Scarborough said, “He demanded excellence and hard work, and he got it.”
Dr. Enneking was also a past president of the Orthopedic Research Society, the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and the American Orthopedic Association.
Dempsey Springfield, M.D. was a close friend of William Enneking. He said, “Dr. Enneking was the classic academic physician triple threat. He was a scientist, clinician, and educator. He advanced the science of bone biology and provided extraordinary personal innovative care to thousands of patients but it was his teaching that most affected those who were around him. He saw educational opportunities in every activity. Mike Simon, M.D. said it best: ‘He knew the sweet spot between the Socratic method and humiliation better than anyone.’ At conferences and meetings everyone wanted to know what he thought but prayed he would remain silent after they presented. That prayer was rarely answered. He pushed us to be better and we are better for that push. We do our best to emulate him. His influence in orthopedic education and in musculoskeletal oncology will be forever felt.”
A man of great insight and dedication, Dr. William Enneking will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
Gifts may be made in memory of Dr. William F. Enneking and directed to support the Orthopedic Education Fund at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Please make checks payable to the UF Foundation. Gifts may be mailed with a note indicating this gift is in memory of Dr. William F. Enneking: University of Florida Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 14425 Gainesville, FL 32604
For questions regarding gifts, please contact Harvey Green at the University of Florida Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute Office of Development and Alumni Affairs Phone: 352-273-5881 E-mail: harveyg3@ufl.edu
Dr.Enneking was the best Dr in the world. He saved my leg from Bone cancer ( Condo Sarcoma ) when no one else would even attempt to try. This was in 1981 at Shands in Gainesville Florida.
After he retired he placed me under the care of Dr Mark Scarboro. He has taken wonderful care of me for many years. Dr. Scarboro you are also a great doctor.I will never forget Dr Enneking.I no I will see him in heaven one day. When the Cancer Center in Gainesville was being built, I finally felt I had found a way to give back.I worked very hard an was able to donate several thousand dollars to help with the building fund. I am so greatful that I could do this. All made possible by the doctor who saved my life and my leg. I will never forget you. Love Wanda Wimberly
But it is all because Dr. Enn
I am so thankful he saved my life in 1975, didn’t know he had passed. Looking online to see if he could be reached had some questions for him , he removed a tumor from my left shoulder, underneath the shoulder blade. Part of my left shoulder have partial use of it, can’t find the right doctor for check ups I am 66 years old now doing well. It was a Malignant Fibrohystosacoma hope I spelled it right I was very young at the time. He was the most caring doctor and the best.