Eldon Wilfrid Younger was born in Neilburg, Saskatchewan, Canada, on May 9, 1937, to Lyle and Margaret Younger. His maternal grandparents had migrated to Canada from England as teenagers whose parents had objected to them marrying. They traveled separately to Winnipeg, having vowed to meet there, which they did. They subsequently moved to northern Saskatchewan where they raised eight children, of which Eldon’s mother was one. Eldon’s father, Lyle, was born in Lewiston, Idaho, and grew up in Montana.
Eldon joined his parents and brother, Eldred, who was 6 years old. When Eldon was 2 years old, the family moved to Long Beach, California. His brother Larry was born May 16, 1939. Eldon remained in Long Beach until 1953, attending Lafayette Grade School, Washington Junior High School and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. The family moved to Corvallis in 1953 and Eldon attended and graduated from Corvallis High School in 1955. He was Boy’s League President, and played on the baseball and football teams. He was an excellent student who earned the respect of many of his teachers.
Eldon entered Oregon State College (OSU) in 1955. In 1958 he was accepted to the University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU). He completed his degree from OSC after his freshman year of medical school and completed his medical degree in 1962. He completed a rotating internship at UOMS and went on to complete a residency in pediatrics at the same school.
Eldon became reacquainted with a girl who he knew from high school, at the suggestion of a fellow medical student and fraternity brother (SAE) who knew both Eldon and her. She became employed in the pediatric department at Doernbecher Hospital as a secretary to four pediatric professors before he had decided to become a pediatrician. Eldon and Meda Brandt, daughter of Lewis and Ruby Brandt, were married June 24, 1961, at the Federated Church in Corvallis.
In 1965, Eldon entered the Air Force on the Berry Plan which was designed to let doctors finish their residencies before their obligation to the military. He was commissioned as a captain and sent to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. It was a SAC base that was home to 25,000 servicemen and women and their families. He was the only pediatrician on the base for the first one and a half years, so he was a very busy doctor as you might imagine. In 1966, Eldon was awarded the Airman’s Medal for heroism. He had braved 70 mph winds and the “Blizzard of ’66” as he set out on foot, to tend to the needs of a child whose mother could not control his seizures which were the result of a brain tumor.
In July 1967, Eldon and Meda returned to Corvallis, where both of their families lived, and he began his practice at the Corvallis Clinic. Much to the delight of the parents of both of them, their son David (April 19, 1967), who was 3 months old, arrived with them.
The surprise was that they were expecting their second baby. Gregory was born on Jan. 21, 1968. Matthew, born Aug. 11, 1969, arrived 18 months later. Meda was relieved to have the grandparents to help and a pediatrician as father to these boys.
Eldon quickly became very busy in his practice and friendships were forged with some of the parents of his patients. These lasting friendships are cherished by our family. We have wonderful memories of times spent with these friends, as do our children. We are deeply indebted to friends who have been so attentive to Eldon, especially in these last months when his health was so compromised. They buoyed him up and our family will forever be grateful for their visits.
Eldon was an athlete and played a good game of golf and tennis. The family had great times together skiing, playing tennis, golfing, hiking and camping in central Oregon and enjoying all the activities that Black Butte Ranch had to offer. Meda and Eldon took some special hikes up Smith Rock, Paulina Lake, Black Butte, Hand Lake and many others. Camping with the boys when they were little at Three Creeks Lake and Crescent Lake with friends are very fond memories.
Pediatrics proved to be a perfect choice for Dr. Younger, as he had all the right skills for being a children’s doctor and a special gift for helping parents and children not only in times of illness, but in guiding them through their child’s development. He was especially helpful to mothers; he felt that helping them gain confidence in their abilities with a newborn was as important to the child’s physical health as anything he could do for them medically. Eldon spoke softly to his little patients, which was effective, as they had to listen well to hear him; he seemed to mesmerize some of them. He and his nurse, Kathy Medearis, were a team who worked together to make parents and children’s lives better.
Eldon was instrumental in establishing a well-baby clinic with nurses and others in Monroe making it easier for parents to get care for their children. He was the pediatrician for the CCD (Crippled Children’s Division) of the medical school, which was an interdisciplinary team who traveled around the Willamette Valley to provide care for children with Cerebral Palsy and other crippling diseases. His professional career included being a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, being board certified as a pediatrician, and serving as chairman of the executive committee of the Corvallis Clinic in 1973.
Eldon not only had the respect of the parents and children in his practice, but that of his colleagues as well. He gave lectures to nurses during their training the Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. As an adjunct faculty member, he gave lectures to students in the Honors College at OSU. Eldon spent three weeks during his residency in Houston, Texas, as part of a team working on a National Institute of Health study on child development. Upon his retirement in 1994, a play structure in Avery Park was dedicated to him with a plaque citing his service to children and their families, an effort spearheaded by a colleague, Dr. Joel Garfunkle. He was further honored when another colleague, Dr. James Nusrala, established the Eldon Younger Lectureship. This was a series of lectures open to the public and involved guest lecturers and panel members as a means of drawing attention to important topics concerning children and teenagers.
Many people have recalled kindnesses shown to them by Dr. Younger, who when needed, was there for them as he was during that frightful blizzard in North Dakota. He never lost his love for his patients, and for the study and practice of pediatrics. When he was first diagnosed at age 52, he continued to see patients in the outpatient clinic, but gave up the hospital nursery duties which he liked so much. It was with sadness and disappointment that he retired from his practice in 1994, when the disease of Parkinson’s took its toll and ended his career.
Eldon continued to be an inspiration to us all as he courageously met the challenges of declining health. His son, David, shared the responsibilities of caregiving with Meda making it possible for Eldon to continue living at home for over 26 more years. Eldon was extremely proud of his three sons and their accomplishments, but more than that, he was proud of the loving, caring men they have become. He adored his four grandchildren who were such a joy to him right up to the end of his life.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, he is survived by his wife, Meda; son David; son Gregory, wife Aaron (Eckols) and their children, Cole (age 8) and Ruby (age 4); son Matthew, wife Laurie (Morris) and their children, Margaret (age 10) and Vivian (age 8); brother Eldred and sister-in-law Barbara; brother Larry and sister-in-law Elaine; brother-in-law Brice Brandt and sister-in-law Frances; and sister-in-law Lois Henton. Nieces and nephews on both sides of the family were loved by him and him by them.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers who helped Eldon end his life with dignity. We will not forget you.
A celebration of Eldon’s life will be held at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to Benton Hospice Service, 2350 N.W. Professional Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330; or to Friends of Corvallis Parks and Recreation, earmarked for the Eldon Younger playground area, at 1310 S.W. Avery Drive, Corvallis, OR 97333.
Arrangements are by McHenry Funeral Home.