Friday, December 05, 2008
Doctor, daughter were inseparable
Jeff George and his daughter, Hannah, died Wednesday in a car crash.
Dr. Jeffrey George
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Photo courtesy carilion.com
Hannah George
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Dr. Jeff George cared for people's physical well-being as a cardiothoracic surgeon, but he also cared for the emotional and spiritual part of the heart.
That's how the Rev. Allen Reasons said he would remember his friend and former parishioner who died Wednesday in a wreck on Interstate 81.
"So many people are obviously physically living because of what he did for them in surgery," said Reasons, minister at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Huntington, W.Va. "But his care for people went well beyond the physical. He will be remembered first as a friend, and a friend literally to everybody. His demeanor, friendship, compassion, made him deeply respected in the community."
George, 49, and his 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, were killed about 3 p.m. Wednesday when the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban they were traveling in veered off the highway, overturned and burst into flames in Botetourt County.
The two were driving north between Buchanan and Natural Bridge, headed to an equestrian facility when the accident occurred. Hannah was a competitive rider.
Father and daughter were alike in their compassion for others, and the two were inseparable, said Sam Cox, headmaster at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, where Hannah was in ninth grade.
"With Hannah, the single most descriptive word that has come out today has been her smile," Cox said. "She was just always glowing with the most radiant smile on her face. No matter what the situation was. And her greatest passion in life was horses."
Dr. Joseph Rowe, one of George's partners at Carilion Cardiothoracic Surgery, also said the bond between the two was apparent.
"Whenever you talked to Jeff she was there. She was his world," Rowe said. "He was so completely in love with her and devoted to her I think all his free time and leisure time centered around her."
State police may never know what caused George to veer off the road and into the guardrail, said Trooper J.K. Jessee. His investigation has determined that George was not speeding.
Several witnesses tried to help the Georges get out of the vehicle, but the fire was too intense, Jessee said. One man tried to kick out the windshield.
Jessee believes the Georges survived the crash but died in the fire. The medical examiner's office has not determined their cause of death, he said. The two were wearing seat belts.
The family moved to Roanoke from Huntington, W.Va., in March 2007 for George to practice at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
"He really hit the ground running for us," Rowe said. "He was a huge addition to our group with his experience, excellent judgment. He really fit in like a glove with us. ... We thoroughly enjoyed having him with us and his relaxed personality."
In Huntington, George had already left a legacy behind. Upon hearing the news of the crash Wednesday, four women, including Reasons' wife, drove from West Virginia to Roanoke to be with Teresa George, Jeff's wife and Hannah's mother. Hannah was the couple's only child.
Dr. George was also a philanthropist and is most known in Huntington as the founder of the Jeffrey E. George Comfort House, which opened in February 2000. The home hosts 600 families annually who are need of a place to stay while they or loved ones receive care at Huntington-area hospitals.
"He was probably one of the most brilliant, insightful, compassionate people I've ever met in my life," said Jo Fannin, executive director of the house.
The facility was named for George just before he moved to Roanoke, Fannin said. Still, he remained involved with the home and was an active member of the board.
"I would talk to him several times a week," she said. "A week ago he said, 'I don't have anything like that for my patients here.' And I said, 'You are going to have to build a house there.' I think he would have done it, too."
While he hadn't started a Comfort House-style facility in Roanoke, George was involved in area charities and had provided free surgery to low-income patients through Project Access, said Kate Ellmann, the organization's executive director.
At Faith Christian, administrators broke the news Wednesday to staff, faculty and parents through the school's phone tree. Thursday the day began with a worship service for those in grades 6 through 12.
"It was a time of worship and prayer," Cox said. "There was a lot of grieving, which is normal and healthy."
The students spent much of the day making cards, banners and writing notes that will be given to Teresa George, Cox said. Before the school day ended, most of the students had left early to cope with the tragedy.
Visitation for Dr. George and Hannah is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Huntington, said Reasons. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday in the church sanctuary.
Staff writers Amanda Codispoti and Jorge Valencia contributed to this report.
