TAFP loses Austin physicians

Durward A. Baggett, M.D. | Dec. 30, 1924 - Aug. 21, 2008

TAFP Past President Durward A. Baggett, M.D., died on Aug. 21, 2008 at the age of 83. Baggett practiced family medicine in Austin for 43 years during which he served as chief of staff at Brackenridge Hospital. In addition to his post as TAFP president from 1981-1982, he was an active member of AAFP, the Travis County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association. According to his obituary, he was the first physician in Travis County to become board certified.

Baggett served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before being transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps, 6th Fleet, to serve 18 months in the South Pacific as a medic and pharmacist. After his military service, he attended the University of Texas at Austin for chemistry and worked at Dow Chemical Company for years. He later went back to school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he was awarded his medical degree.

He is survived by his wife, Vadis Baggett; children, Mary Ann Kraemer and Durward David Baggett; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerald R. “Doc” Senter, M.D. | March 25, 1924 - Oct. 31, 2008

TAFP life member Jerald R. “Doc” Senter, M.D., died on Oct. 31, 2008 at the age of 84. Senter practiced family medicine in Austin for 51 years, during which he delivered more than 2,500 babies. He was an active member of TAFP, AAFP, the Travis County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He volunteered as the team physician for the Reagan High School football team in Austin for 28 years and was elected to the Austin Sports Hall of Fame.

Senter enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and served as a combat officer with the 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 458th Bomb Group, and 754th Bomb Squadron in England during World War II. After his honorable discharge, Senter attended the University of Tulsa for his Bachelor of Science degree. He received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Senter is survived by his wife, Joy; children, Jerry, Mike and Sandy; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.