In Memory

Steve Theis

Steve Theis passed away at home in Savannah, GA where he wanted to be, on Friday January 8, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 77.

Steve was born in Barberton, Ohio on September 24, 1943, to Francis Theis and Helen Jean Wickizer Theis. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania where he played baseball and basketball. He went to Wabash College in Crawfordsville Indiana. He always said, he went to Wabash because they allowed dogs in their classrooms. From there Steve attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and graduated in 1969. He did an internship and general surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. Steve then went on to do his residency and fellowship in orthopedic surgery at UPMC, where he was chief resident.

Steve was a major in the USAF. He was chief of orthopedic surgery at Elgin Air Force Base Regional Hospital. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1976 for his "excellent medical knowledge of orthopedics and managerial skills along with his high morals and professionalism."

In 1976, after leaving the Air Force, Steve began practicing orthopedics in Pittsburgh and Washington, Pa. He ultimately practiced in Washington and Canonsburg Pa. He spent most of his professional career in solo practice. Several years before retirement he joined Advanced Orthopaedics and Rehab. He enjoyed these last few years of his profession so much due to the great group of doctors, nurses and staff he worked with. Steve retired in January of 2013.

In 2001 Steve married the former Raine Patton, "the love of his life." In February 2013, after he retired, they moved to The Landings in Savannah, Ga. They loved the life they shared there. In 2014 Steve was diagnosed with his second occurrence of head and neck cancer. At that time, he had extensive surgery that left him unable to speak or eat for the rest of his life. This is something that would have destroyed the spirit of a normal person, but Steve set forth to live the best life he could, never complaining and always upbeat and an inspiration to all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Raine, three daughters and fifteen grandchildren.

 







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