Minter, William Fred, M.D., 83, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at his home in Fullerton. He was born December 6, 1923 in Hollywood, California to William and Virginia (Estes) Minter. Following his father's death he was raised by his grandmother in Hollywood. He graduated from Leuzinger High School and following high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corp., serving in Europe during WWII. After the war he graduated from Pepperdine University and then went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Southern California in 1955. He took his residency in Ob/Gyn and practiced in Santa Monica before opening his solo practice in Fullerton. He was on staff at St. Jude Medical Center and served as Chief of Ob/Gyn. After 30 years of caring for his patients and delivering babies he retired in 1990. He continued his life doing what he loved most, traveling to his home in Honolulu and playing golf with his wife. Before taking up golf he was an avid tennis player and was a Charter member of Sunny Hills Racquet Club. He was also a member at Hacienda Golf Club for 20 years and spent many hours playing golf with his friends. Fred's unique sense of humor and love will be greatly missed by his wife Kathleen; daughter, Cynthia and her husband, Buff Bogard; his much loved grandchildren, Brittany, Lane and Haydon Bogard; mother-in-law, Hazel Janecek; sister-in-law, Joyce Weaver; brother-in-law Larry Gratt; and nieces Ruth Gorski (John), Kate Gorski, Robyn Sealander (Mike), Gambyl Gratt, Alexis Stickney (Dalton) and Natalee Horstman (Aaron). He is also survived by his son Ted and daughters Mary Bateman and Marian Kalish. The family requests any remembrances be made in his name as a donation to the USC/Norris Cancer Center. Services have been held.
Published in the Orange County Register on 3/10/2007. To leave a message in Dr. Minter’s Guest Book in the OC Register: http://www.legacy.com/orangecounty/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=86766471
March 12, 2007 My condolences to Kathy and her family on Dr. Minter's passing. He was my doctor for over 20 years. I first began as his patient in 1968 as a young college student. My Mom (Marianne "Peggy" Powers), and sisters Jan and Nancy Powers were also his patients. I always looked forward to seeing him. Not only was he a great doctor, but he was a "with it" adult. I could talk to him about anything. I have lived in Newport Beach until 1969 but still drove to Fullerton to see him. The last time I saw Dr. Minter was around 1988 or so. I was going to have to go through infertility in order to have a baby. I ended up going to Long Beach Memorial to their infertility group there and was blessed to have a little girl in 1994. I don't think he ever knew that my dream was realized but I thank him for the good care we Powers' women received from him for all of those years. He was a marvelous doctor and person. Patti Powers (Newport Beach, CA) March 11, 2007 To the family of Bill Minter, "Dr. Fred" delivered my youngest son on Jan. 14, 1968. It was a difficult pregnancy and delivery but he stayed with me during the entire labor. I will never forget him and think of him often. He had a sense of humor that I appreciated (sometimes he was so irreverent). When my daughter was a teenager she became his patient,too.On one visit she was complaining because Mom wouldn't let her get her ears pierced. Bill came into the waiting room and called me in. After a long"talk", he proceeded to pierce her ears for her. A few months later he did mine too. He took stitches out of my husband's hand so he wouldn't have to make a trip to the ER to get it done. In short he was a loved Dr. and will never be forgotten. Sincere sympathy to Kathy and the rest of the family. Rena Hagmaier Rena Hagmaier (Placentia, CA) Contact me March 11, 2007 To the family of Dr. Minter, I was very saddened to learn toay of Dr. Minter's passing. Dr. Minter was my doctor for many years beginning in the mid 1970s. I'll always remember the professionalism that he blended with his very special sense of humor and his keen insights into any medical problem I presented. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Pat Goda Patricia Goda (San Clemente, CA) Contact me March 11, 2007 When I was in my 1st year of residency at LAC/USC, Fred was my senior resident. We had known each other for several years and were very compatible in our approach to medicine. Fred was interested in the use of hypnosis to facilitate minimal use of drugs for minor surgery, e.g. a D&C after a miscarriage. The usual practice was going to the OR w/ anesthesia and all of the wasted time and troubles that caused. We were quite successful in doing these procedures on the emergency admitting floor and the patients could go home within hours. It became almost a routine after we did the first 10-20 cases. Fred was a good friend and mentor (no pun intended) and I valued his friendship both professional and personally. To his frustration he never succeeded in hypnotizing me. Congratulations on a life well lived and my sympathies to his family. Morgan L Morgan, MD (Corona del Mar, CA) March 11, 2007 Kathy and Cindy, I just opened the Register and read Dr. Minter's obituary. I am so sorry for your loss. I have truly fond memories of going to the river with the three of you (when I was just a kid), and feeling extremely jealous of how much better Dr. Minter and Cindy were at water skiing than I! It was great to see you last year at Haydon's volleyball games; I wish "doc" had been there as well. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. Eileen McCoy Eileen McCoy (Fullerton, CA) March 11, 2007 Thinking of you, Kathy. Sue DeMille (Newport Beach, CA) March 10, 2007 Forty years ago Dr. Minter delivered two healthy twin boys-full term, each weighing more than 7 lbs. I thank Dr. Minter for his excellent care and humor during those 9 months. Condolences to his family. Marie Landers (Anaheim, CA) March 10, 2007 Dr. Minter delivered two of my children in the 60's. He was great OB/GYN, and it was a pleasure to know him. My sympathies to his family. Marilyn Breeland (Anaheim, CA) March 10, 2007 I graduated from Sunny Hills HS in 1967 and throughout that period and beyond, Dr. Minter was one of the most highly regarded physicians in the area. I later knew his son Ted, a brilliant young man like his father and a '68 graduate of Troy HS, and several years at Chapman College. I met Ted's sisters when they were beautiful teenaged girls, and I admired the entire family. I'm sorry for their loss. Paul Saevig March 10, 2007
Dearest Kathy, Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear husband, Dr. Minter. You won't remember me, but I was one of his many patients, and loved knowing you through your working with him. Your beautiful face, smile, and attitude helped patients feel at ease and be comfortable. Your office was decorated in such a lovely manner, that it made waiting a pleasure. I believe I also met your mother at the office, and she was also a pleasure to know. I could write a book on your husband, but would prefer to put it in a personal letter to you if you ever wish to share your address with me. Dr. Minter was my doctor from 1980 to 1990, and I credit him with saving my life with successful surgery. I actually had an office visit with him on the day you were having surgery at St. Jude. It was the only time I ever observed Dr. Minter "unglued" as he waited for your surgery to be over. He shared his love and concern for you, and said it was one of the toughest days of his life. When he talked to you in the office or to me about you, his face just glowed and that wonderful smile covered it! He was the ultimate, professional doctor; caring, insightful, and complete. He could put my back/neck back in place, burn off my small skin cancers, give me a complete examination, and engage me in a wonderful and humorous political discussion all in the course of my appointment. I absolutely worshipped him and his talent, and thought I would just die when you retired. I remember your darling little red Mercedes cars parked in the back lot. I believe I saw Dr. Minter around 2001 in the office of Fullerton Orthopedic when I was there for an appointment. My desire to greet him was held back because he seemed to be in some pain and I didn't want to be a bother. The last week in February, I was visiting Dr. Dahl in your old office building on Bastanchury. For some reason, I came in the front door and up the stairs and stopped in front of your old office door....for old time's sake. It must have been about the time you lost your dear husband. When I read the paper today, it seemed surreal. I loved reading more about his history and loving family. What an athlete! No wonder he always looked in such great condition and healthy! He was a wonderful doctor and I shall never forget him. I hope memories of all the good times you had will bring you much comfort in the days ahead. I will thinking of you and your family. My smypathy and love to you all. Sincerely, Patty (Whitchurch) De Rose Patty (Whitchurch) DeRose (Yorba Linda, CA) Contact me