Richard G. Soutar, M. D.
Dr.
Richard G. Soutar, who for the past seven years has been director of health and
physical education, or school physician, to the public schools of Sacramento,
and is regarded as a very able and efficient man in this field of labor, was
born in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, April 27, 1888, and received his early
education there. After graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and
mastering in physical education. He completed his college course at the
University of Oklahoma while acting as professor of physical education at the
institution, from which he graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Science
and Doctor of Medicine. He also attended summer law school one season. After
leaving Wisconsin he was director of a playground system, and also supervisor
of a public school system of physical education. During the years 1922 and 1923
he served as interne in the University Hospital at the Oklahoma City. He served
as professor of physical education at the University of Oklahoma, later
director of athletics at Oklahoma City College, and college physician at the
Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College of Stillwater, Oklahoma. On
January 1, 1924, he came to his present position as director of health and
development in the Sacramento schools, and has here done very effective and
appreciated work.
Dr.
Soutar was united in marriage to Miss Myra Davidson, a native of Tennessee, and
they are the parents of two children, Douglas R., aged twelve years, and
Margaret M., aged ten years. Both parents are members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church and are active in its work.
During
the world war Dr. Soutar attended the army training school at Fort Sheridan but
was not ordered overseas, being placed in the reserve Medical Corps. He is now
a member of the United States Army Medical Examiners. While in college he did
much writing and served on the editorial staff of the year book and college
paper. He also took an active part in athletics, earning his “W” by his ability
and prowess. He was also a member of a college debating team and took an active
part in football, basket-ball, golf, baseball and gymnastics. He was made a
member of the Sigma Delta Psi athletic fraternity, the Beta Theta Pi social fraternity
and the Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity. He has served as an official at many
athletic meets and helped organize the present northern California Officials
Association. The Doctor takes a keen interest in all forms of athletics and in
the Boy Scout movement, having served for five years as physician to the
organization. He is a member of the Sacramento County Medical Society, the
California State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the
American Association of School Physicians and the American Public Health
Association. He was also president of the Oklahoma State Intercollegiate
Association and of the Southwestern Conference while professor of physical
education at the University of Oklahoma. He is a broad-minded, public-spirited
man, keenly alive to the responsibilities of his position, and has been zealous
in safeguarding the welfare and health of the pupils of the public schools. He
is a man of splendid personality, genial and engaging manner, and all who have been
associated with him hold him in the highest esteem.
Source: History of the
Sacramento Valley California Vol. III J. W. WOOLDRIDGE 1931. Page 268-69.
© 2004 Marla
Fitzsimmons.