ROCHESTER - Dr. Richard W. Halfast, 93, of 2225 Westside Drive, Rochester, died at 10:37 a.m. Jan. 9, 2010, in his residence.
He was born May 20, 1916, in Corry, Pa., to Frank and Edith Spencer Halfast. On May 10, 1942, he married Clarice J. Bell, who died Feb. 19, 2006.
He earned a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine from Taylor University, Upland, in 1938, continued his education at Indiana University Medical School and became Dr. Halfast on May 10, 1942. Following his internship at Springfield (Ohio) City Hospital July 14, 1943, he served as chief medical officer of general surgery, participating in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns during World War II with the U.S. Army. His M.A.S.H. unit (74th General Hospital and 1st Auxiliary Surgical Group), was the first medical unit behind the active lines. His assignment closely shadowed General George C. Patton's unit. His unit was one of the first to enter the liberated German Concentration Camp in Dachau. He developed great interest in the area of orthopedics during his stint in Europe. Returning stateside he continued with the U.S. Army for seven months at hospitals in Clinton, Iowa, and later Springfield, Mo. His primary focus was orthopedics treating patients until his honorable discharge Aug. 8, 1946.
In 1949, he returned to the Kokomo area where he opened his practice, "Kokomo Orthopedics." He served on the boards of both Kokomo Hospitals Howard Community and St. Joseph's. Along with colleague and close friend, he developed and patented an instrument to surgically remove the intermediary nail most commonly found in the femur. He pioneered and performed the first knuckle replacement in Indiana.
In 1953, he moved to Rochester's Lake Manitou and was a member of the Manitou Yacht Club. On July 1, 1983, he retired.
Surviving are a daughter, Karen (and spouse Jim) Ewen, Rochester; two sons, Dick "Rick" (and spouse Lynne) Halfast, Fresco, Texas, and Greg (and spouse Jean) Halfast, Rochester; five grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and a sister, Bev Armitage, Corry, Pa. He was preceded in death by an adopted brother.
Private services will be Thursday at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester, with Dr. Mark Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Rochester's IOOF Cemetery.
