(The following story was written by Rugie R. Coates during 1981 and 1982 in the year before Mardy died. It was in a notebook and was written over a period of about 6 months. At that time, rugie was still living in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where he had practiced medicine for about 40 years. The story was written in two parts with a separation of several blank pages between the two parts. I have not attempted to correct any grammar or spelling (except for the spell checker). In some cases words were unintelligible and I just typed the words as best I could decipher them. Where there were date errors that I could confirm I made note in ALL CAPS in parentheses. Most of Part I concerned Rugie's life. Part II will probably be of more interest to the rest of the family because it contains many stories of Rugie's brothers and sister and their life in Union City. At the very end are outlines that Rugie wrote to jot down facts about his dad.

PART I:

        I started these thoughts, experiences, etc. about 1 year ago and call it an autobiography and story of my life but have lost the original pages. As old as I am and (with) what has happened to me the last 18 months, you may call it a premature obituary.
        It is events of my life as I recall them. Not intended to be read by anyone other than my wife, children, and grandchildren. The penmanship is poor, sentence structure and English atrocious. The mind I was born with, and the education I tried to develop, leaned more toward science than toward English and literature.
        The events and statements are, like Ivory Soap, 99.44% true, but dates and sequence of events may not always be exact.
        I remember a college professor saying, "When you are starting or getting senile you can't remember what you ate or did with the car keys 30 minutes ago, but can recall, almost in detail, the things that happened years ago." How true he was!
        Knowing so little of my father, I decided to write this history so my children, grandchildren, and future generations will know more about their inheritance and make their own decisions about me. I've had plenty of faults, made some miserable mistakes, said things that I regretted, harmed people by my actions and words, but never physically (nor deliberately meant to harm anyone, I am a doctor, for God's sake).
        I feel that in later years I have developed some degree of humility, serenity, and wisdom. I've sincerely tried to make amends to all which I have harmed when every possible to do so. Physically, I never harmed anyone. Verbally, and by other actions, I know of some I have harmed. Those are either dead or I do not know their where abouts.
        Lots of things have happened in my lifetime from 1910 to the present of 1982. Born into poverty as now ruled by the welfare department but rich in family love and spiritual guidance, deserted by father in 1916, old enough to remember World War I, deaths from influenza, troop trains, food rationing, knitting for the Red Cross, Armistice Day November 11, 1918 celebration in Union City. Played in 1^st football game I ever saw, worked for wages on a farm and otherwise from 10 years of age. Harvested fields, cotton patches, herded cattle, carried newspapers. Lived with grandparents partially. Started working at railroad bridge construction at 14 years of age and after high school graduation. Had dreams of going to college but saw no possibilities. Lived in bridge construction camps in Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Riding freight trains to save money. Finally had enough money to start Oklahoma City University in September 1929. Helped financially by carrying papers, washing dishes, and waiting tables in a café. Later worked as Western Newspaper Union. Lost part of my savings when back closed doors in Dover, Oklahoma. The great depression of the years starting in 1929. Had to quit college in 1931 due to lack of money. Frantic searches for any type of work, even just for a meal. Passed state steam engineers and pipe fitters exam in 1929. Helped to build the Walker Street and Robinson Avenue viaducts in Oklahoma City while working as a steam engineer.
        Sudden decision to enter Oklahoma University in January 1932 and try to get into medical school. Chances were slim to all but impossible. Years of study at Oklahoma University. Met admitting board in May 1933 and "lied" to them about being financially able to go without needing to work. Had to hitchhike back to Norman from Oklahoma City to attend the admissions meeting because I did not have enough money for the inter-urban fare.
        Worked my way through medical school by collecting laundry, working in hospital kitchens, firing oil field steam boilers, doing janitor work, working as night orderly in the University Hospital. Even had one job of sleeping in a rich person's home for three nights a week. He was elderly, had an elderly wife, and since he was out of town frequently, they paid me $1.00 nightly to stay n the home with her. Rarely saw her. Was given luxurious upstairs bedroom with bath. Ws given instructions to go to my room, lock the door, stay in my room unless I heard some commotion. My money was always on a desk and also a pitcher of ice water, fresh fruits, and a clean pair of P.J.'s for each night.
        I finished medical school in 1937, 14^th in class. If I had been 13^th, I could have been initiated in to A.O.A., an honorary medical fraternity.
        I received my M.D. degree on June 7, 1937. Uncle Harry and some other relatives attended. Uncle Harry, at that time, was the only college graduate in either the Garrett or Coates family. Westlynne was an R.N. which was equivalent to a college degree. Uncle Harry's twin girls in Nebraska had attended a university and might have degrees. My own father did not, or would not, attend my graduation; he said he was too busy to get away. He had his secretary buy me my first medical bag. Could not start internship until July 1^st so worked in the University Hospital kitchen washing pots and pans until starting internship. I think I have the honor of being the only medical doctor to make his living washing pots and pans after receiving his medical degree, even if it was for only 23 days.
        Accepted a two year rotating internship at University and Crippled Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City (note: Mary, this is where Jon work for so long, too). Had dreamed to going to some more noted medical center but due to my responsibilities to mother and younger brothers, I decided to stay in Oklahoma City. We got room, board, laundry, and $10.00 a month the 1^st year, then $25.00 for the 2^nd year. We were allowed to sell one pint of blood a month for which the state paid $25.00, this was before blood banks.
        I was offered two years residencies in Ob-gyn, surgery, orthopedics, anesthesiology, and EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat). I had developed a deep interest in Ophthalmology so had to wait a year to receive the appointment. So, from July 1937 to June 1939 I worked on a salaried basis for Dr. E. C. Lindley and his hospital in Duncan, Oklahoma (edit note my Mary Lynch: THOSE YEARS ARE INCORRECT, MUST HAVE BEEN 1939-1940). It was a hard but educational year. Home deliveries, country house calls, etc and I got some idea of private practice as compared to institutional work. Married Jewell 2 weeks before end of my internship, I will talk more about marriage later. Jewell had to stay in Oklahoma City and finish nurses training. Competed her training in 1939 and she moved to Duncan and we started a long life together, separated only by World War II. I worked for Dr. Lindley day and night, furnished my own car, helped him in surgery, took all calls he didn't want to make, all for the great sum of $250.00 a month.
        Jewell, now pregnant, and I moved back to Oklahoma City in June 1940 to start residency in EENT. This was really a 24 hour daily job. Karen was born in November 1939 (INCORRECT, KAREN WAS BORN 1940). We survived happily on $50.00 a month. (edit note, quite a comedown from $250.00 to $50.00)
        The war clouds were getting heavier and it was obvious that the United States would get involved. I had a reserve commission and was called to active duty on November 11, 1941, three weeks before Pearl Harbor was bombed. To the best of my knowledge, I was just the 2^nd medical officer in Oklahoma called to active duty with the possible exception of the Medical Doctors in the 45^th Infantry Division.
        I was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until January 11, 1942, when I received orders to be in San Francisco in 72 hours for shipment overseas. Janis was born January 6, 1942, and I and I had to "break the news" to the new mother, Jewell while she was still a patient at University Hospital. Our sailing from Frisco was delayed for a short time and Jewell had the chance to join me in Frisco for a few days.
        We sailed on the Monterrey of the Matson Lines in mid February, 1942. We spent 29 days on the ocean without seeing another ship, land, or even a bird. Our destination was Manila, Philippine Islands, but it fell to the Japs and we were landed in Brisbane, Australia in mid March.
        We set up t he first American Hospital in Australia and later the first American Hospital in new Guinea. This was the 153^rd Station Hospital. It was a mobile station hospital, always in the combat zone, just behind the lines. I served as their EENT officer until September 20, 1944, or thereabouts, when I was finally ordered back to the United States. Instead of being discharged as I was told I would be, I was kept on active duty and ordered in January 1945 to Borden General Hospital in Chickasha, Oklahoma. I had been returned to the United States because of a back injury that required a steel back brace. I wore that steel back brace for over two years in the South Pacific. I had also worked on detached service with the 105^th General Hospital, Harvard Unit, and the 42^nd General Hospital, University of Maryland Unit, in Australia the last few years after the New Guinea campaign.
        Because of my back injury, I met with the disposition board in August 1944, either to be returned to active duty or returned to the United States for discharge from service. The board ordered me back to the good old USA. In September 1944 I sailed from Brisbane on the Lurline, still, in 1982, an active luxury liner in the Pacific. I still have a picture of that ship.
        Our ship arrived in San Francisco on September 15, 1944, where I was kept as an ambulatory patient for five days, then ordered to be flown to Dallas, Texas, where I was taken to the Ashburn General Hospital at McKinney, Texas.
        There, I was given a month's leave, to follow numerous examinations for orthopedic and neuro surgeons. Then I was to meet with a disposition board for discharge from the service.
        Two days before the meeting with the board, an order came down from Washington D.C. that all M.D.'s will be retained. The famous Battle of the Bulge" in Germany was going on and it looked as if the Allies would lose until General Patton outsmarted them and finally beat the Germans.
        I had already received orders to report to Borden general Hospital at Chickasha, Oklahoma to work in the hearing department. This was the main hearing center for the United States Medical Corps. I had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest ENT men and hearing specialists in the United States, W. H. Work, Hall Boyd, Dan Brickley.
        In May 1945, Jewell was seven months pregnant with Mary. She developed a sudden eclampsia with convulsions, nose bleeds and hypertension. An emergency Caesarian section was done of Jewell on May 22, 1945. Mary weighed just 2 pounds 12 ounces and Jewell miraculously survived. Mary was only baby ever born in Borden General Hospital, amazingly survived after 6 weeks in an incubator.
        Although still on active duty, I moved my family to Chickasha in January 1945 and we lived at 908 S. 16^th Street. Mardy lived with us.
        In September 1945, I was called by the Executive officer about 8 PM on Sunday night. All types of fears went through me as I felt I was about to be transferred again. When I arrived a Headquarters, Col. Talbert asked me; "Would you like to be out of the service?" Of course, my answer was yes! I asked, "WHEN!" He told me he had just returned from 8^th Services Command in Dallas and that they had devised a system for discharge and I was the only officer eligible. The next morning, I was examined at 8 am by Maj. Kaminsky, , chief of medicine, and in 30 minutes was out of the army.
        It was the greatest moment of my life, lasting about one hour. Then, I realized that I had no position to return to and no practice to support my wife and children. Fortunately, I had accumulated 118 days of leave and received a paycheck for nearly four months service pay.
        I had planned to practice in Oklahoma City. I went there, could not find any office space, was broke, financially, and a doctor with whom I was to be an associate had changed his mind.
        The doctors in Chickasha, Dr. Downey, McClure, Pyle, Emanuel, Ryley, and a few others asked me to locate in Chickasha and would help me finance me. There were two elderly EENT men here about ready to retire.
        Before I could beg, borrow, or steal equipment, I had a full month's schedule. After 37 years, it is now 1982, I am still here. During my years in service, I did not get to do any major surgery and did not have the tame and money to go back to hospital work and get skillful in surgery again.
        I have never regretted staying here, even though I was unable and unequipped to so some surgical procedures that I once had done. Oklahoma City doctors were so good in referring and recommending area patients to me. As a result of almost entirely office practice I was never able to make the "big money" that specialists in larger towns make.
        In those days, an office call ranged from $3.00 to $10.00. T&A's were $50.00, as were Pterygrams; Slrahisms, $100 (I COULD NOT DECIPHER THE NAMES OF THESE PROCEDURES). Refraction's and glasses ranged from $26.00 to $40.00.
        My 70 year old mother was my receptionist for tow months and then Dana Dews became my secretary for almost 30 years. Junia Woodward has been my loyal secretary for 19 years (1982).
        Lots of "ups and downs" have happened in these 37 years. I never lost a case on the operating table. No malpractice suits or even an actual threat of one. I have had several wonderful high school and college girls work part time. Some part time help of note were Beth Mansur; Dr. Jeanne Porter Hester, who is now an oncologist and leukemia specialist at M.D. Anderson cancer clinic in Houston; Jerry Lou Hill is now the wife of Dr. Bob Peters in Fresno, California; Wanda Stiles, whereabouts unknown; Donna Steele Cooper, now teaching in Hayes, Kansas; Helen Samson, killed in a airplane accident; Shelly Rogers William, she and her husband are Univercity of Michigan faculty; Judith Estep Fitch; SallyDavis Bassett of Wichita Falls, Texas; my daughter Janis, and later, my wife, Jewell who has helped me for the past seven years. Wanda and her husband came by the office in February 1983. She is now Wanda Noel, assistant to the president of Six Flags Corporation in L.S. (? Los Angeles ?). They own Disney Land, Disney World, Astro World in Houston, Six Flags in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Houston.
        In 1958 I had a stomach resection. Fractued left patella (knee cap) in 1969 (CORRECTION, 1968), artificial plastic joint to my left wrist in 1974, surgery tendon to right elbow, and the next day prostatectomy in 1971. Several attacks of U.R.I. and severe asthma. Sudeen illness in Boston October 4, 1981 with severe asthma and pneumonitis. November 30, 1981 had three dacron arteries to repair descending aorta and both iliac arteries performed by Dr. Greer at Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City. Earlier in life, had T&A at 14 years old. Sub-mucus resection (nose) at 17 years old. My appendectomy was in 1934 while I was a sophomore in medical school. I once even thought of wiling my body to medical school but now realize that so much has been removed from me that I would not be a good candidate for anatomy studies.
        Before I actually opened my first office, I had over a month's appointments as M.D.s and Osteopaths in Chickasha and surrounding area and EENT men in Oklahoma City would recommend me. I carried an appointment book with me and also kept it at home to make appointments.
        At that time, there were four hospitals in Chickasha. The Chickasha Hospital on Chactaw Ave. was owned by Dr.s McClure, Pyle, and Downey, now all deceased. Cottage Hospital on S. 13^th Street, owned by Dr.s Baze and Swan, deceased. Another on N 13^th Street was the Women's and Children's Hospital owned by Dr L.E. Emanuel and Dr. Cahrles Ohl, deceased. The fourth was an Osteopathic Hospital at 14^th and Iowa. I worked in all these hospitals except to Osteopathic Hospital. Surprisingly, I had lots of referrals from the Osteopaths, but this ceased when I refused to "split fees" with them.
        Today, as I am writing this, May 23, 1982, I am the only M.D. living or practicing that was here 37 years ago.

-This ends part I-

Next Part II: Rugie recalls his Childhood in Rural Oklahoma

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