Obituary of John Judd Shields

John Judd Shields died on July 6, 2011 in his home in the Rydal Park Retirement Community. He was 100 years old. He was the loving husband of Julia H."Judy" Shields for more than 70 years. He was born in Pittsburgh, graduated from Bucknell and received his MD from Harvard. He came to Philadelphia for his internship and residencies and afterward became part- time Director of The Outpatient Department of St. Christopher's Hospital. He was drafted into World War II where he served in the Aleutian theater. After the war he returned to practice pediatrics in the Philadelphia area. He was chief of the Pediatric Service at Germantown Hospital and was appointed Chief of Pediatrics at Abington Memorial Hospital in 1962. Dr. Shields has made a profound impact on the lives of children and families throughout the Delaware Valley. His solo practice, begun in his home after the war, has expanded to become Abington Pediatric Associates. He has taught his fellow pediatricians and has served as a leader to his colleagues serving as clinical professor of Pediatrics at Temple Medical School and St. Christopher's Hospital. He was past President of the Philadelphia Pediatric Society and Alt. Chairman of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although he retired as Chief of Pediatrics in 1986, he remained active on the staff with 38 years of service to Abington Hospital. At the time of his retirement he received a plaque inscribed "A gentleman, a gentle man". His commitment to the community led to many years of service in the Jenkintown Rotary and as an active member of the Abington Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his sons and their spouses: James L. and Jane Shields of Ambler and Thomas J. and Janet Shields of Corona del Mar, CA; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. His daughter, Susan Howorth died in 1995. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service at 11 AM on Friday, July 22, 2011 at Abington Presbyterian Church, Old York and Susquehanna Roads, Abington, where friends will be received after the service. Burial in the memorial gardens of Abington Presbyterian Church will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abington Health - Development Office, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001 or Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.