Dr. Curtiss Mull, 83, trained surgeons
October 13, 2022
Dr. Sears Curtiss Mull of DeBordieu, a retired orthopedic surgeon, died Sept. 13 surrounded by his immediate family. He was 82.
Known as Curtiss, he was born Feb. 28, 1940, in Akron, Ohio, and competitively played golf, football and basketball.
In his youth, he caddied at Firestone Country Club where he learned to play golf. He went on to play competitively at Bucknell University after he sustained a shoulder injury on the football field. This injury inspired him to change his major to pre-med, attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he met his wife, Angela, and ultimately pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon.
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Mull joined the Air Force as a physician. Shortly after completing his tour at Tuy Hoa, Vietnam, he started his orthopedic residency in Syracuse, N.Y., and then settled down in Roanoke, Va.
He spent 28 years as an orthopedic surgeon, focusing on total joint replacements at Lewis Gale Clinic before retiring in Georgetown in 2001.
In his retirement years, he frequently traveled the U.S. as a “rent-a-doc” working in clinics and hospitals allowing young doctors to take vacations and spend holidays with their families. He also traveled to Ireland and the United Kingdom to teach and train other physicians on the latest techniques in total knee replacement surgery for Depuy and J&J.
Dr. Mull was an avid golfer, skier, world traveler, talented gardener and choir singer. He sang in the church choir as a child and loved it so much he continued with choirs into his retirement years.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by his children, Curtiss, Stephen, Eric, Jonathan and Mary-Angela; his grandchildren, Susanna Jane, Tia Marie, Kate, Deric, Elizabeth, Nora and Sloane; and his siblings, Michael and Susanna.
A celebration of his life was held Sunday at the DeBordieu Club.
Memorials may be made to the Smith Medical Clinic (smithfreeclinic.org) or First Tee – Coastal Carolinas (firstteecoastalcarolinas.org). Dr. Mull was an avid volunteer at both organizations.
