Memorial service planned for Harold B. Stout

Dr. Harold Beebe Stout died peacefully Friday, Nov. 20 at Lola Worth's Adult Care Home. He is survived by son, Dr. Luwayne and Esther Stout; daughter, Luvon Stout; grandchildren, Michelle and Eric Haeger, Tiffany and Greg Lamberton, and Luke Stout; great-grandchildren, Carly, Jonathan and Noelle Haeger, and Noah Lamberton. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Jan. 16, at 3 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brewster.

Harold Stout was born January 9, 1913 in Hughson, Calif., to Perry Elliot and Hazel Sophia (Beebe) Stout. His siblings included two older brothers, Perry Robert and George Elliot; and a younger sister, Ella Mae. At the age of 9 Harold lost his father and learned to work helping on his Uncle Boyd's farm. At the age of 12 he had his first paying job, punching wires on the stationary hay baler.

Harold graduated from Merced High School, where he enjoyed biology classes and playing football. He lived with his Uncle Boyd and Aunt Beebe, working at various jobs to pay his tuition and expenses while he attended Pacific Union College, where he was fulfilled his pre-medical requirements. After graduating, he attended medical school at the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University School of Medicine. There he met Berniece Hansen, who would become his wife on Jan. 15, 1939.

Dr. Stout served his internship in Paradise Valley, Calif., before moving his new bride to North Central Washington in 1940. The couple had two children, Luwayne and Luvon. Berniece's parents and her sister, Marie, also lived and worked with the family. In 1942, Dr. Stout took the position of Douglas County Health Inspector while maintaining his busy practice; that included many babies delivered, surgeries and office hours in Pateros, Brewster, Bridgeport, Mansfield, Omak and Waterville. Traveling by ferry, car, tractor and once almost by sleigh, Dr. Stout tended his patients, who at times could only pay for his services with potatoes. Dr. and Mrs. Stout worked alongside other physicians in the area to found Brewster's Community Medical Center and helped establish Okanogan Douglas Hospital.

Dr. and Mrs. Stout were married 70 years and were celebrated as the Quad City Valentine's Couple of the Year in 1998; Citizens of the Year in 2006 and various other recognitions for a medical career that spanned 60 years. Dr. Stout retired from his full time practice in late 1997 but maintained his medical license assisting in surgery and Continuing Education studies.

Dr. Stout will be remembered for his kindness and medical care, birding hobby, black Angus ranch "Midnite Farm" on Sunset Drive, work within the Seventh-day Adventist Church and ever present sense of humor. He is preceded in death by his wife Berniece Stout.