William Harvey Obituary

William Tarver Harvey, MD, Lt Col (Ret), 73, died May 4, 2011 of cardiac arrest. Born in Liberty, MS. he was the youngest of three siblings born to Thomas Elijah Harvey and Cordelia Williams Harvey. Bill attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA and was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy in 1958. He graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Sciences. At Space Command Headquarters in CA he helped develop an advanced high altitude pressure suit and space flight medical monitoring system. He worked with astronauts from the US and Russia. Bill was accepted into Medical School and graduated from Case Western Reserve University of Medicine in 1974, doing his residency in Aerospace Medicine. Throughout his years as an Air Force physician Bill took particular interest in persons who seemed to have unusual, difficult to treat illnesses. This was the beginning of many years of research, both clinical and extensive literature review. In an effort to define and improve the lives of these patients, Bill went to work in Houston TX as a chronic disease physician and at Family Medical Practice in Del Rio, TX. Bill moved to Colorado Springs in 2006, working at Rocky Mountain Chronic Disease Specialists. In 2008 he became the Medical Director of Creek Trail Medical Clinic, and remained there until just before his death. Bill's compassion toward his very ill patients saved countless lives, and improved hundreds of others. He was a noted author and researcher on Chronic Lyme and Morgellon's Disease. It was Bill's goal to find a cure for these unexplained illnesses, traveling all over the world to search out answers. He is survived by his wife, Pat D. Harvey, MD, his cousin, Alice Carol Gray and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial service to be held at the USAFA Cadet Chapel 6-17-2011 at noon.