Henry Witte

Henry W. Witte, D.O. of Worth, Illinois, left this earth peacefully, with family present, on February 17, 2017. He was 94 years old. Henry was the beloved and devoted husband of Betty (nee Ansett) for 69 ½ years to the day (they were married August 17, 1947). Henry was the loving father of Ruth (Ted) Ogden, Bob (Sue) Witte and David Witte, grandfather of Danielle Groth, Katie (Ryan) Young, Kristen Witte, Jen (Jeff) Ryan, Shane (Jackie) Sierzega and Ron (Rosy) Sierzega, great-grandfather to Logan, Mallory, Reese, Parker and Drake. Henry is also survived by his younger brother, Robert (Doris) Witte, sister-in -law Lois Ansett and many much-loved nieces and nephews. Henry was born April 2, 1922 to Emma and Henry Witte in Columbia, PA. Henry attended Valparaiso University, where he met and married Betty, graduating in 1949. He also served in the US Army in 1946. He then advanced to medical school at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 1953. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology in 1956. Henry practiced as an anesthesiologist at Chicago Osteopathic Hospital in Hyde Park and Olympia Fields Osteopathic Medical Center in Olympia Fields until he retired in 1984. During that time, he served as Professor of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia Department Chairman and Chief of Staff. He also served on multiple hospital committees during his career at Chicago Osteopathic Hospital. Henry was a Fellow in the American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists, serving on the Board of Governors and holding the offices of VP, President-elect, President and Treasurer. He was also a member of the American Osteopathic Association, International Society of Anesthesiologists and State and District member of the Illinois Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. After retiring from anesthesiology, Henry remained active with Midwestern/CCOM as alumni representative on the Board of Governors, member of the Alumni Board and Board of Trustees. Henry humbly received awards from the Alumni Association of CCOM, the Chicago Society and the AOCA. Henry was a dedicated and active member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council, Long-Range Planning Committee, Endowment Committee and Counting Committee. He also lead an Adult Bible Study. A memorial service to commemorate and celebrate the life of Henry Witte will be held Saturday, April 1st at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11007 76th Avenue, Worth, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Henry’s name to St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11007 S. 76th Avenue, Worth, IL 60482 or Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515.