SMALL TOWN DOCTOR WITH A BIG HEART

2009-09-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

It is not particularly unusual for an individual to attain a record of 40 plus years in a profession or business, but it is worthy of special note when when you are talking about the indelible mark that Dr. J.A. (Jack) Ruttle left on the lives of so many in the Kent County community of Dresden during a lifetime devoted to the practice of medicine.

Beyond the demands of his profession, Dr. Ruttle proved to be a kind and sincere father, friend, counsellor and citizen. He was a charter, life member of the Dresden Kinsmen Club and a one-time president, but many other organizations and individuals in the area benefited from his guidance and assistance as well. A diligent "visitation" family practitioner, he saw as many patients in their homes as he did in his office.

"Doc Ruttle" was known for his compassion and cordial approach to his patients, but it was no secret that he would not be in his office on most Wednesday afternoons during the summer months...that was a time in the week when he hung up his "gone fishin' sign". Fishing in fact was not only an escape for this dedicated small town doctor, but it was a passion which had the blessing of a very understanding wife, Rhoda, who on occasion was prepared to suggest with tongue in cheek that "the doctor is out at the moment, but is expected back shortly."

Service to his community was a way of life -- a reflection of his early training and preparation for life. He neither sought recognition nor wished it. Elsewhere in my "Dresden: Turning Back the Clock" web site I comment on the three doctors that practiced in Dresden during my growing up years in the 1940s and 50s, with particular reference to the time Dr. Ruttle came to my father's rescue in the last hours of his life.

The accompanying photograph of Dr. Ruttle is reproduced from a civic recognition night program in his honour, November 20, 1974.

Nothing better portrayed the life of Dr. Ruttle than a letter he wrote to the University of Western Ontario Alumni Gazette in 1978, a short time before he passed away following a valiant struggle with cancer. It is a first-person account of an era of private practice health care in Canada that is long gone and I present it here with the greatest of respect.

In publishing the letter, the Editor of the Gazette explained that he felt that the "warmth, faith, advice and remembrances contained in it should be shared with all alumni" and that he hoped that the letter would help someone who was in a similar position to Dr. Ruttle.

THE LETTER:

"Things Ain't The Same No More"
"I know this is improper grammar, but it seems to be the way our children are being taught now. I am dying of cancer and may not be here if and when you publish this.

"As a Western grad, after 44 years experience as a family physician in a small town, I feel qualified to write on behalf of many others of my generation. After high school I had no one to advise me, my family were farmers, but I wanted to continue my education, so I wrote to Western for a calendar and was impressed with the B.A. M.D. course. It seemed so impressive, sophisticated and appealing and, fortunately for me, requirements were not as strict as they are today. I was accepted.

"There were 32 students in this course but only seven graduated. The others either quit or changed to arts or straight medicine. The main reason I chose Western was because it was nearer home, Tupperville, and I had never been to London or that far from home previously in my life. That was in 1926 and there was only the Arts and Science buildings on the Western campus. Our freshman group picture was taken on a vacant lot at the corner of Dundas and Wellington streets, where later the Hotel London was built.

"The J.W. Little Memorial Stadium had not been built yet and the football coach was Clarence (Fick) Fickley. This was before Bill Storen and John Metras took over. I was a lineman on the junior team and in 1927 returned early to try out for the Mustangs, but a dislocated knee in practice ended the career of a potential Joe Krol, Frank Turville, Bam McLachlin, Ted Kennedy, "Pony" Stull, Frank Gugins, Jack Perry or Stew Ward -- I could name a dozen others.

"After graduation I interned in St. Marys Hospital, Detroit, for the grand salary of $5.00 per month plus bed and meals. In 1934 I started practice in Dresden as a G.P. and have never regretted it. I was one of those rare G.P.s who dispense medicine and (or) tablets, $1.00 to $1.50 for an office call including a bottle of medicine or tablets. So it was unbelievable when such insurances as P.S.I., A.M.S., W.M.S. and O.H.I.P. came along with increases in fees.

"The past 44 years have been mostly happy, but I cannot forget the time when I spent all night in my car stuck in a snow drift during a blizzard or the night my car was stuck in mud. It was dark and raining and I walked a mile with mud and water to my knees to attend a lady having a miscarriage. She survived and I received no pay. Before country roads were gravelled there was also a time that I got stuck in the gumbo clay of Dawn Township so badly, that the front wheels of my car would not rotate.

"I could relate other stories about the inevitable fatal illnesses and accidents which always bother a doctor. Times have changed and all roads are good now. In those days people only went to the hospital to die, now nearly everyone has O.H.I.P. or insurance of some kind and they want to go to hospital for trivial things to get their money's worth. This is part of the reason why health care costs are so high. In the early days maternity cases were nearly always handled at home and we charged $10.00 to $20.00 depending on the distance and time involved, quite different than today.

"I met my wife, Rhoda (Anderson), in 1934. She is a varsity grad and taught high school in Dresden. We were married in 1937 and built our home and office combined and we think it is still very nice. Labour at that time was 25 cents per hour and skilled carpenters and brick layers were 40 to 45 cents per hour, which is hard to believe now. I had to borrow from my bank and all the manager required was my signature on a note at 3%.

"Four and a half years ago I had my left kidney and a malignant tumor (hypernephroma) removed. This type is never curable and I am fortunate to still be here. I have had the best treatment possible by the doctors in Chatham and at the Cancer Clinic in London. I am sure my medical and surgical team are surprised I didn't die two or three years ago. I am like Tennessee Ernie Ford's grandmother, when she was invited to take a free air plane ride at 95 and said "I only intend to go up once and I ain't ready yet."

"I believe in miracles and the Power that can produce a living human being in nine months from the union of an ovum and a spermatoson in a woman's abdomen and keeps us breathing and the heart beating and all the other physiological processes functioning even when we are asleep, also the power to continue life indefinitely. I give great credit to hundreds of patients and friends who are still saying prayers for my recovery. I have reached three score and 11 and enjoy life, Ironically, the last 41/2 years have been the happiest of my life because I have had time to enjoy my wife and family and to discuss the issues of life and death with them. We have been blessed with three children and five grandchildren who are the best in the world.

"I really should not complain about having cancer at my age and I don't give up easily. Life has been good to me.

"In conclusion, a word to new medical graduates: Be proud that you attended Western, the best university in Canada, and continue as a G.P. You won't become a millionaire but there is more reward in hearing your patients remind you of the time you saved their life, or their child's life or fixed a broken arm or leg, all of which you had forgotten and know that you really didn't save a life but only helped. They think you did and they rate you next to God.

"Take time to sit down (with patients), appear interested and listen to their history, even when you know it is nothing serious. Take time to discuss their complaints and symptoms with them and if you are not certain, refer them to a specialist or hospital for tests. Never tell a patient it is 'only his nerves' because it is real to him or he would not have consulted you in the first place. I have had many patients say that they felt better when they left my office even before they had taken any medicine. It pays to be honest in a diplomatic way.

"Our Class of Meds "33" are having our ninth regular five-year reunion on Homecoming Weekend this year. I have never missed one but if I don't make it this time my classmates will know the reason."

--J.A. (Jack) Ruttle, B.A. '30, M.D. '33, Dresden, Ontario

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I am indebted to Wanda (Gray) Pellerin of Dresden for providing a clipping of Dr. Ruttle's letter for this tribute. It was included in papers left by her late father, Clark Gray, with the following notation in his handwriting: "Dr. Ruttle was my doctor from Day One. I worked on his house when it was built. I married Neva Green in 1935 and Dr. Ruttle delivered all three of our children at home -- Larry in '37 (bill $10.00), Wanda in '39 ($20.00) and Karen in '41 ($30.00). As they grew up he was known to them as Daddy Ruttle and if they scraped a knee or cut a finger at play in the park, they would go to Daddy Ruttle to get patched up before coming home."

God bless!

A TRIBUTE TO DOC RUTTLE

SMALL TOWN DOCTOR WITH A BIG HEART