The Pinecone

LIFE’S GOAL: HELPING OTHERS 

When asked their philosophy of life, both Richard and Beverly Colditz enthusiastically responded, “To help others.” That has certainly been obvious from the number of years both served in the “healing professions”: Richard as an OB-GYN physician, and Beverly as a registered nurse. Together, they also would rear three wonderful children. 

Although Richard and Beverly did not meet until they were adults, it seemed destined that both would find their way to Atlanta, Georgia. 

Richard was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1939. His family, which also included an older brother, moved to Knoxville when Richard was four years old. He attended schools in that area, including two years of “pre-med” at the University of Tennessee. Fortunately, he was accepted into the medical program at the prestigious Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating in 1965. While there, Richard was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. 

To practice medicine, following graduation from medical school, an internship and a residency in a specialty is required prior to establishing practice. Again, fortunately, Richard was able to do both at Emory. His clinical experiences were at the notable Grady Hospital, ending with three years of residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1969. 

At Grady Hospital, there were about 900 babies delivered each year. According to Richard, not all of them made it into the delivery room. He tells of the time he was assisting a lady give birth on an elevator. The lady looked at Richard and asked him to suggest a name for the baby. Thinking about their location on an Otis elevator, Richard suggested, “How about Otis?” “That’s good,” she replied, “Otis it is!” 

Richard survived his year of internship, rotating through all the specialties. He later served as president of the Emory Resident’s Program and achieved a remarkable feat by meeting with all the powerful people at Emory and Grady, getting the salary of residents increased from $.50 an hour to $500.00 per month. Finally, a livable income! Richard’s life was not all hard work. It was during this time that he was introduced to, dated and married a beautiful, young nurse, Beverly Smith, who was teaching at Emory University. 

Beverly was born in Bessemer, Alabama in 1937. She entered the University of Alabama Nursing Program, earning a B.S. in Nursing, and began her practice at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Eventually, realizing she wanted to teach nursing, Beverley moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to teach at Emory University. To enhance her qualifications, she enrolled in the Masters of Science Nursing Program, completing requirements in 1968. However, she had not been in Atlanta long when she was introduced by a friend to a medical student by the name of Richard Colditz. Following two traditional-type dates, Richard decided to make a giant impression on Beverly by inviting her and another couple to dinner at his apartment. He was the cook! This was his menu: standing rib roast, asparagus casserole, and a scratch lemon icebox pie topped with homemade whipped cream. The two couples then went to a bowling alley and bowled until 4: 00 a.m. It must have made a good impression on Beverly because she and Richard were married in March 1966, during the one week that Richard had off as an intern. 

Beverly and Richard were thrilled with the arrival of their first child, Stephen, in December 1966. He was soon followed by Cindy in 1967 and Jennifer in 1972. Life was difficult with a growing family, so it was necessary for Beverly to continue working during Richard’s residency. 

Following his residency, Richard and family moved to Louisiana where he served two years in the Air Force as Captain at Barksdale Air Force base, practicing obstetrics and gynecology. Finding a good opportunity for practice, Richard and family moved to Carrollton, Georgia, where he joined three other OB-GYN physicians at Tanner Medical Center. Their practice served the area of west Georgia. During that time, Richard served on multiple organizations which supported medical practice, such as the hospital board, and as chief of the medical staff. In 1981, he served as state president of the OB-GYN Society. Finally, after working many 50- hour weekends on call, Richard confined his practice to gynecology, retiring in 2009. 

When medical problems began to surface, Richard and Beverly decided to move to Memphis to be closer to their daughters. After research, they decided on Kirby Pines and moved into a garden home with their dog, Josh, in 2018. 

In addition to their three children, Beverly and Richard are the proud grandparents of four, all of whom are doing well in their life choices. Beverly has lots of hobbies which keep her busy. She loves to decorate her house and lawn for seasonal celebrations. In fact, she has a collection of 56 small Dept 52 Snow Village houses and figurines she loves to use in her Christmas decorations. Naturally, both Beverly and Richard spend time watching Alabama sports! Richard unfortunately had a bad experience with COVID which left him with problems of balance and memory, which has affected his activities. 

According to Richard, “We have met many good people at Kirby and are very grateful that we can receive good care for our various conditions. The move to Kirby was a good choice.” 

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident of Kirby Pines.

A FARM BOY FROM BELLS

Although born in humble circumstances, Lee Todd seemed destined to become a leader. Personal qualities developed during youth were influential in producing those characteristics needed in his varied leadership positions as an adult. The devotion he displays as caregiver to his wife, Merle, indicates a basic quality of empathy and concern for others. 

Lee Todd was born in the front bedroom of a white, frame house on a small and “much diversified” farm near Bells, Tennessee. Engulfed by farm work as a child, Lee says, “I spent a lot of time looking at the rear end of a mule, plowing crops; my least favorite work was picking cotton.” However, the farm in Bells continues today to be Lee’s recreation and “golf course.” 

In high school, Lee opted to enroll in vocational agriculture as an elective– rather than Latin. This choice would have a profound influence on his future, primarily by leading him to membership in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). During Lee’s junior year, he competed in the FFA’s national public speaking contest before 12,000 delegates at their national convention, placing second! Two years later, he became vice-president of the national FFA which provided him with opportunities to speak to various youth and meet notables of industry and politics, including Raymond Firestone, President Dwight Eisenhower, and Alvin York, the most decorated soldier in WW I. 

Following high school, Lee enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Martin, Tennessee with a major in General Agriculture. While there, he served as class president for two years. Due to serving another term as an FFA officer, it was necessary to delay college. However, while waiting to re-enroll, he became involved in a training program offered by the John Deere office in Dallas, Texas. Fatefully, he was introduced by a mutual friend to a student nurse, Merle Rompel. According to Lee, “We met on a ‘very’ blind date; things ‘clicked’ and have been ‘clicking’ for over 62 years!” Merle was born on a Hereford cattle and Angora goat ranch. She grew up with many home and ranch responsibilities which resulted in a strong work ethic. Lee credits Merle as a great factor in the success of their personal lives and careers. Merle fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from Texas Women’s University with a B.S. in Nursing. According to Lee, Merle’s character made her a desired member for future leadership roles in numerous organizations. 

Both Lee and Merle completed their college work and became engaged. However, Lee joined the National Guard and spent the next six months on active duty. They married in December 1961, and Lee accepted a job in advertising sales with The Progressive Farmer magazine in Birmingham, Alabama, a job he held for 11 years. During that time, the couple, with the addition of three children, David, Janet, and Robert, moved to Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas before finally returning to Memphis for Lee’s job with a different company. While living in Chicago, Merle worked in a hospital owned by the Chicago Mafia. “She could really tell some stories from that job,” remembers Lee. 

The last 20 years of Lee’s career was in Memphis as executive vice-president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. This is an association of people who own and operate cotton gins in the five mid-south states. Lee was also completely responsible for their annual show at the Cook Convention Center. The association’s show became the largest indoor farm show in the mid-south. According to Lee, this was the most satisfying job of his career. 

When Lee retired in 2003, he and Merle fulfilled a lifetime dream of traveling to exotic as well as most European countries. This included such places as Iceland, Nepal, Tibet, China, Vietnam, and Burma. When not traveling, they enjoyed visits with their three children and three grandchildren. Their son, Robert, is the closest as he lives on the family farm. Both Lee and Merle stayed involved in and served as leaders in a number of community agencies. Lee served as president of the Memphis Agricultural Club, the local chapter of the National Marketing Association, and as chairman of Agricenter International. Merle was president of the Memphis Cotton Wives and Germantown Women’s Club. 

Because of Lee’s love for his farm, he works on it at least one day a week. Because of his respect of every veteran, each year on Veterans and Memorial Day, Lee goes to Bells and places American flags on each veteran’s grave. He also installed a flag pole and an American flag which flies over the city cemetery. 

In 2017, it became apparent that Merle was beginning to have memory problems. Merle had lovingly cared for their three children and home while Lee was required to spend time away from home due to his work. Now, Lee made the commitment to provide the best possible care for Merle. None of their children lived close by, so Lee was Merle’s only caretaker until he became physically unable to care for her. Having made the decision earlier, they moved to Kirby Pines in 2023. Merle was placed in Job’s Way, and Lee spends most of his day with her, taking her for daily wheelchair rides around the beautiful areas of Kirby Pines 70 acres. “I should have moved here two years ago,” states Lee. “I am pleased with our move and that Merle is receiving the care she needs and deserves.” 

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident of Kirby Pines.