Major General (Dr.) David S. Trump

Major General (Dr.) David S. Trump
Major General (Dr.) David S. Trump, age 83, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away at home on January 24, 2017.
Dr. Trump was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Dr. Frank and Mary Trump, in 1933. Dave attended Michigan State University followed by medical school at Ohio State University, where he graduated cum laude.
After an internship at University of Colorado, he completed a four-year general surgery residency program at Marquette University and was awarded a Master of Science degree in 1964. He then entered a three-year pediatric surgical fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. During the last year of this program, he served as chief surgical resident and instructor in surgery at Harvard University. Simultaneously he joined the Air Force Reserve Medical Corps.
Dave’s career took him and his first wife, Judith Bean, and their three children, to Phoenix, Arizona, where he practiced pediatric general, urologic and cardiac surgery for twenty years.
In 1977, he married Elaine Olness, who was by his side in the operating room and beyond for the next 39 years.
Understanding the fears parent and child face when a child undergoes surgery, Dave authored the book “Once Upon An Operation” in which each patient starred as the main character. Seeing the importance of a dedicated pediatric hospital, he was instrumental in founding Phoenix Children’s Hospital where he served as Chief of Surgery. He also served as Chief of multiple Surgical Residency programs and was a Fellow and Member of many other professional organizations.
In 1987, he earned a Master of Science in Health Services Administration, retiring from private practice to spend a year applying experience and knowledge as Medical Director of Mercy Care Plan. He twice led a surgical team to Project Esperanca in Brazil.
Military service continued throughout these years with assignments to positions including Flight Surgeon, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of the Aerospace Medical Division, and Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Deputy Surgeon General.
After becoming Air Force Deputy Surgeon General for Reserve Affairs, he was awarded the rank of Major General in May 1988.
Dave and Elaine moved to Washington, DC so he could combine medical and military experiences working in a civilian position as Dean, Military Medicine Education Institute and Vice President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
In 1993, Dave and Elaine moved to the Applegate Valley in southern Oregon, to begin a third career, Silver Stars Vineyard. He joined Grants Pass Rotary Club in which he was Chairman of the District Rotary World Community Service Committee and traveled to administer polio vaccinations and apply hand prostheses in India and Africa.
Dave was elected to the Board of Education of Rogue Community College and was a member of the Board of Directors of Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center, now Kairos. He received Rogue Community College’s Outstanding Citizen Award in 2011. He was an avid traveler, snow skier, and family man.
Dr. Trump is survived by his wife, Elaine Trump of Grants Pass, Oregon; his brother, Richard Trump; daughters, Patty Bell (Lee) and Susan Felstiner (Paul); son, Jeff Trump (Kimberly); and seven grandchildren: Kawika Bell, Makanani Bell, Carl Felstiner, Alden Felstiner, Jack Trump, Sam Trump and Michael Trump.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 11 a.m. Military Honors will follow at Eagle Point National Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011); The Rotary Foundation (PO Box 1201, Grants Pass, OR 97528); or Calvary Lutheran Church (909 NE ‘A’ Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526).