Date of death: 5/7/2009

Saint Meinrad Class: O 1948

Russell Leo Welsh, M.D., 85, a New Smyrna Beach physician for over 50 years, died suddenly at Halifax Medical Center, Port Orange. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he was raised at St. Meinrad Seminary, Jasper, Indiana. Dr. Welsh was a graduate of Villanova University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis University School of Medicine. He served his internship at Kansas City General Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. During the Korean War, he was a Navy doctor on transport ships going between Seattle, Washington, and Korea. After his residency at St. Mary’s Hospital, Philadelphia, he came to New Smyrna Beach to be the first doctor on the beach side. Dr. Welsh was a member of Oceanside Country Club, Ormond Beach, Sacred Heart Catholic Church of New Smyrna Beach, and was a private pilot. He was a former member of the Anglers’ Yacht Club and Smyrna Yacht Club and was an avid reader, golfer, and a lover of classical music. Asked how he wished to be remembered, his reply was “A friend of the sick and troubled. Survivors include three sons, John and wife, Sydney, of College Station, TX, Frederic of Decatur, IL, and Greg and wife, Carrie, of New Smyrna Beach; four daughters, Joanne Hathaway and husband, Bill, of New Smyrna Beach, Mary Ann Palmour and husband, Steve, of Birmingham, AL, Jennifer Baldwin of Granby, CT, and Bryn Welsh of Orlando, FL; 11 grandchildren, Will and Mary Hathaway, Jimmy Welsh, Leann Page, Lindsey and Marcie Baldwin, Halley, Erin, and John Patrick Welsh II, and Suzann and Carly Palmour. The family requests memorials to the Russell L. Welsh, M.D. Educational Endowment, J Bert Fish Medical Center, 401 Palmetto Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. Condolences can be made online at www.settlewilderfuneralhome.com.Information obtained from Daytona Beach news-journalonline.com on 5/11/2009.