Dr Herman John Nimitz

Dr. Herman Nimitz, 98, spent career fighting tuberculosis

Dr. Herman Nimitz, a chemistand physician, died Tuesday at the Seasons Retirement Community in Kenwood. He was 98. "He was a kind, gentle man. He served his country so admirably," said his wife of 40 years, Ruth Parks Nimitz of Kenwood. His daughter Mary Scoville of Leland, appreciated her father's devotion to his family. "He instilled in us a strong sense of responsibility, propriety, morality and respect for others," she said. Dr. Nimitz was a 1917 graduate of Clemson University, where he played football.

In 1921, he came to Cincinnati. He worked part time as superintendent of Ubika Feed Plant while attending night school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He obtained his medical degree in 1934. He was a medical resident at Dunham Tuberculosis Hospital and Cincinnati General Hospital, now University Hospital. While operating his private practice in Wyoming in the late 1930s, Dr. Nimitz strived to reduce deaths caused by tuberculosis. He later rejoined Dunham and worked there for 30 years, retiring in 1971. He served as a superintendent, an associate medical director and administrator at the hospital. "He was a brilliant man, a leader and a healer who was respected by everyone who knew him," said another daughter, Elizabeth Nimitz Dixon, of Portland, Ore. "I got to know him as a respected leader in the community, so it was unique for me, He loved to be outdoors hunting and fishing."

After retirement, Dr. Nimitz and wife Ruth returned to his hometown of Charleston, SC, for 17 1/2 years. Other duties included working as deputy state chemist at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. The World War II Army medical veteran served in Washington, DC; Fort Knox, and the 85th General Hospital in Louisville. Dr. Nimitz was a member of the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati, the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the American College of Chest Physicians.

He also is survived by a stepson, Dr. Paul M. Woodward of Middletown; a stepdaughter, Lois W. Barber of Fairfield; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Velma Kibby Nimitz. Interment was private. Memorials can be made to the Holy Trinity Church School Scholarship Fund, 7190 Euclid Road, Madeira 45243. W. Mack Johnson Anderson Funeral Home in Walnut Hills handled the services.
- By Sharon Morgan, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sun 10 Dec 1995, Page 48