02/19/2005    Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, Eric Hubbard, DPM

Doug Sowell, D.P.M (and Linda)

RE: Doug Sowell, D.P.M (and Linda)
From: Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, Eric Hubbard, DPM

The APMA Board of Trustees will deeply miss Doug
and Linda Sowell. I
know the entire profession will as well. Doug,
Linda and I go back at
least 15 years. He was the first person at my
first board meeting who
offered to guide me along. He personally asked
me to assume his
position as Chair of Health Policy. I was a 19-
month Treasurer during his extraordinary
presidency. My wife and Linda spent an entire
day at the Holocaust museum and seeing the
sights of Boston last August. We spent time on
the PICA board together and made many trips to
CMS, CPT and elsewhere on APMA business.

We talked often and built a solid bond for two
people from different
backgrounds, cultures, political parties, and
the like.

APMA has lost a leader. Jennifer has lost her
parents. The APMA Board
is meeting this week and the Sowells are in our
thoughts.

Lloyd S. Smith, DPM
President, American Podiatric Medical Association

I join in the sadness brought about with the
death of Doug Sowell and
his wife Linda. I had the opportunity to appoint
Doug to his first APMA
assignment as a member of the Health Policy
Committee. As Chairman of
that committee for 5 years, I was impressed with
the work ethic of Dr.
Sowell and recommended him to the nominating
committee to be elected to
the APMA board of trustees. He served on the
APMA Board for almost 14
years and helped us gain many of our healthcare
achievements.

I remember Linda as a cheerful, happy person,
who I will miss. The APMA "Board" is a family
and the loss of Doug and Linda will leave a void
in all of our lives. May all of our prayers be
with Jennifer and other family members.

Eric Hubbard, DPM
Long Beach, CA

Other messages in this thread:

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02/18/2005    David Schofield, DPM, Barry Block, DPM, JD

Doug Sowell, D.P.M (and Linda)

RE: Doug Sowell, D.P.M (and Linda)
From: David Schofield, DPM, Barry Block, DPM, JD

What does one say when news of the passing of
two friends reaches you.
The passing of Doug and Linda Sowell in such
difficult circumstances makes this even more
surreal. Doug was very special to me. He was
always there for me to ask
questions on how do be the best trustee that I
could be. He always had advice and an opinion -
I always treasured both, whether I agreed or
not.

Just a quick story, if I may. I remember the
only time Doug embarrassed me. I was so excited
he was in New York – my home town for the
Clinical Conference. I was trying to be the
ultimate NY host, so I brought him to the
Carnegie Deli for a real New York experience.
What did my friend Doug Sowell do? He ordered a
bologna sandwich on white bread with mayo. The
waiter looked at me (after I ordered a corned
beef on rye with mustard) and said “he’s not
from around here is he?!” After ducking under
the table, I enjoyed explaining to Doug both the
waiter’s reaction, as well as mine.

APMA, the profession of podiatry, his many
friends and family will truly miss our friends
Doug and Linda.

David Schofield, DPM
Vice-President, APMA

Doug Sowell was an individual of unquestionable
character and unsurpassed intellect. In 1997, he
broke a long-standing APMA tradition by
challenging the then Treasurer of the APMA for
the right to ascend to the Presidency. Feeling
this was unfair, I editorialized and campaigned
at the HOD against his move, fully anticipating
that my stance would make me persona non-grata
when Doug assumed the presidency. You can only
imagine my astonishment, when as president, he
appointed me to the APMA HOD Resolutions
Committee.

Doug’s depth of knowledge was immense.
Podiatry’s loss is profound, and we will miss
him deeply.

Barry H. Block, D.P.M., J.D.
Forest Hills, NY