A Tribute to John Capehart, MD, “Sooner Proud” and 1961 National Spelling Bee Champion

Abstract

Members of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, including allied health professionals and staff from transplant services, the anesthesia department, and the operating room, along with everyone at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, wish to honor John Capehart, MD, by congratulating him on the 50th anniversary of winning the National Spelling Bee. John was the first Oklahoman to claim this distinction, though his family very nearly dominated the contest for a decade. His brother in 1958 and his sister in 1964 were both finalists at the national competition. Anyone who knows John enjoys his witty sense of humor and crisp intellect. The operating room staff has enjoyed interacting with him during a myriad of thoracic, cardiovascular, and transplantation surgical procedures. John's distinction as spelling bee champion has commanded the utmost respect and admiration from his colleagues. The operating room staff regularly consults him regarding word etymology, origin, spelling, and appropriate usage. His uncanny ability to remember names, numbers, dates of birth of fellow surgeons, medical record numbers, as well as dates and details of surgery for transplant patients is unparalleled, and he has mastered a broad range of topics, from military history to sports and other historical events. It is these qualities that make John unique as a splendid and enchanting teller of tales—some of which are actually true.