Dr. Raymond M. Catton

Raymond M. Catton, M.D., age 93, husband of Sheryl (Williams) Catton, of Chester Springs, PA, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at home. Born on February 22, 1931 in New Orleans, LA, he was a son of the late Raymond M. and Marion (Dours) Catton. The essence of the man was his constant battle with Time and his driven need to fill every moment of that time with meaningful pursuits. Growing up in New Orleans allowed him to explore all the rare cultural bounty that renowned city had to offer; spending untold hours of his boyhood at the museum of art; and also skipping school to spend hours at the library looking up the librettos to his favorite operas. In addition to these intellectual activities though, he also loved hunting and fishing with his friends. However, his boyhood was also impacted by the Great Depression and World War II. After losing his father in the war when he was only 13 years old, he did his best to fulfill the fathering role for his four younger brothers. With great courage and determination he navigated these tragedies and was able to thrive during his teenage years; playing football; editing his school's newspaper; and achieving many academic accolades, leading to his acceptance at Tulane University and graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Being undecided as to whether he wanted to pursue medical school to become a Psychiatrist, or graduate school to become a Psychologist, he subsequently applied to both. Then in inimitable Raymond Catton fashion, he decided to let the United States Postal Service decide for him. Being accepted by LSU's graduate School of Psychology first, that's where he initially went. After some time working on his graduate degree in Psychology, he decided that Psychiatry was the correct path for him. He reapplied and was accepted for the second time to LSU School of Medicine-New Orleans and graduated with his MD in 1958. During medical school he joined the US Army as part of the medical officer program. Upon graduation, he went to Moses Cone Hospital to complete his internship. Then in 1959 at the rank of Captain, he was sent to Korea and served an advisory role through the US State Department to the Republic of Korea Army II Corps during the Korean War. Once his tour in Korea was complete, he then was stationed at Womack Army Hospital in Fort Bragg, NC until he was accepted for his residency training in Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC. Upon completion of his residency, he was stationed at Valley Forge Army Hospital. He continued to practice at Valley Forge, ultimately obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and staying until his retirement from the Army in 1968. Once in civilian life, he started his private practice in Psychiatry as well as Consultative Psychiatry. He joined the faculty at Norristown State Hospital and eventually became the Director of Residency Training for Psychiatry. He joined the staff at Phoenixville Hospital in both a clinical and administrative role. He served on the Board of Directors for many years as well. Despite all his consultation and administrative duties at several hospitals, he also managed his private practice in Phoenixville for many decades. Aside from his many professional accolades, those around him knew him to be much more than a physician and an administrator. He was the epitome of a Renaissance man. He was a poet, an author, a philosopher, a musician, a thinker, a dreamer, an athlete, a hunter/fisherman, a handyman, a car enthusiast, a sports fan, an exquisite dresser, a comedian, and a gentleman. Who else could go from fishing in the canals of New Orleans in the morning to the art museum or the opera in the evening? What teenage boy could list off offensive play calls on his football team and in the same breath be able to recite philosophers such as Plato or Socrates? What physician, who was stationed in Korea to strictly treat soldiers on base, would go to the villages in his spare time to treat the poor and sick townspeople? What Psychiatrist, who is director of residency training, would be able to create a theater company at his hospital and write and stage plays for the enjoyment of the whole hospital? Who else would be able to write thirteen books while being a consultant at numerous hospitals and running an expansive private practice? What father can teach his children how to hunt or fish or fix their car while singing arias from various operas? What man, with all this knowledge, wisdom, and experience could use a masterful combination of wit, humor, and compassion to make anyone in this world feel that they were heard and that there was someone who understood them? Raymond Catton did all of this and far more beyond it. He achieved these things and so much more with all the grace and savoir faire that is to be expected from a Southern gentleman; the gentleman that he was. In addition to his wife, Dr. Catton is survived by eight children, Lisa King-Voelkel, wife of Andrew Voelkel, Laurie Van Mechelen, wife of Paul Van Mechelen, Nanette Alderfer, wife of the late Harry Alderfer, Catherine Jarrett, wife of the late Robert Jarrett, Jeannie Catton, Elizabeth Niskala, Amanda Catton-Williams, and Dr. Raymond Catton, husband of Hailey Catton; fifteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Louis Catton, Robert Catton, Patrick Catton, and Michael Catton. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 2440 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs, PA on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Officiating will be Rev. Christian McMullan. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends will be received from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM at the church on Wednesday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project by visiting woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting stjude.org/donate. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, PA. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Dr. Raymond M. Catton

February 22, 1931 - June 4, 2024