Howard W. Kimball, M.D., passed away in San Diego, California on September 28, 2007. Born in Phoenix, Arizona on October 21, 1922 to David and Nell Kimball, Howard was one of seven children and a twin to his brother Horace. Gifted academically, he graduated from USC and went on to George Washington University for his medical studies. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War, marrying the love of his life Ella F. McLamb on May 19, 1951 in Norfolk, Virginia. They returned to Phoenix where Howard opened his private practice as a General Surgeon in 1957. In 1963, Dr. Ernest Born joined him and they remained partners in this practice until Howard retired in 1990. Dr. Kimball, who was a relentless advocate for his patients, was Chief of Surgery at Memorial Hospital from 1969 to 1972, was a co-founder of the Phoenix Surgical Society and of the Tumor Board of Memorial Hospital, which in its affiliation with UCLA, explored new product testing developed for fighting tumors. Howard is survived by his four children, Kenneth, Karen, Michael and Brian, who ask that his friends and colleagues join them at a gathering to celebrate his life on October 12, 2007 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home at 4800 E. Indian School Road from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, followed by a 1:30 PM graveside service at the National Memorial Cemetery at 23029 North Cave Creek Road. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society, 2929 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 or the Phoenix Symphony, 455 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
David Shaeffer
Dr. Kimball saved my life when I was 11 years old in 1966. I had been accidentally shot by a friend and lost a kidney and part of my pancreas. The bullet came an inch from my heart and an inch from my backbone and gang green set in. Doctor Hammer attended me while at the Kingman General Hospital and Dr. Kimball did two surgeries on me and saved my life in Phoenix. Dr. Kimball was very personable. He was one of the best doctors I’ve ever been to and he was a great person. God Bless his soul.
John Tod
I had the pleasure of scrubbing cases for Dr’s Kimball and Born, in the 1980’s,
Without a doubt those two were a great team of surgeons, they were by far the best. I became a patient of theirs in 1982, and did great under their care.
Dr Kimball, was so kind, and cared so deeply for his patients. I knew his son Michael, from back at Memorial Hospital, he was an excellent scrub tech that taught me a lot.
I know he must be an excellent surgeon just like his father.
I think that God may have called Dr. Kimball home, because he needed a great surgeon.
I know he is safe with Christ.