Jack DiBenedetto, DC
Doug Thorp, DC
R. Jay Wipf, RN, BS, DC
Dr. George M. Croft passed away March 1, 1996. Dr. Croft, born in 1920, was a 1947 Logan graduate and had offices in both East St.
Dr. Croft was one of the first DCs to be actively involved in expanding the bounds of chiropractic scope of practice, advocating in the late '60s the practice of acupuncture as a viable adjunct to chiropractic. He was also well-known for many years for his involvement with the World Posture Queen pageants.
He is survived by his wife, Monica; daughters, Cheryl Sudbrock, Cindy Lane, and Dr. Candace Croft; his sister and brother, Hazel Armer and Gilbert Croft; and eight grandchildren. Any memorial contributions may be made to the Logan College Scholarship Fund.
Dr. Jack DiBenedetto passed away February 14, 1996 at the age of 62. Born in 1933 in the Bronx, New York, Dr. DiBenedetto lived a multi-faceted life which included playing minor league baseball for the Washington Senators from 1950-52, serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and being a member of the New York City Fire Dept. until 1967. After earning a bachelor of science from New York School of Technology, Dr. DiBenedetto went on to the Chiropractic Institute of New York in Manhattan, graduating in 1964; he was honored with both the Diversified Technique and Stanley Riddett awards.
Practicing in Port Jefferson Station, New York, he was an active member of the New York State Chiropractic Association in which he held many positions, including Suffolk County chapter president. Dr. DiBenedetto was one of the many individuals instrumental in gaining chiropractic licensure in New York State, and was a pioneer in scoliosis detection by chiropractors in public schools.
Dr. DiBenedetto is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rosemary, his two sons, Mark, an internist, and Gary, a chiropractor; a daughter, Mary, who is a doctoral candidate in psychology; two daughters-in-law, Theresa, and Christine Keidel-DiBenedetto, DC; a son-in-law, David; three sisters; and three grandchildren. Donations in his name may be sent to New York Chiropractic College, Attn: Jeff Hoffman, Alumni Office, Box 800, Seneca Falls, NY 13148.
Dr. Doug Thorp, a popular member of the Life West faculty, died March 14, 1996, at age 44. Known for his entertaining classroom lectures and his sharp wit, he had been an anatomy and basic sciences instructor at Life West since 1985. He was a former stand-up comedian and a talented musician who performed for students during college talent shows and also frequently provided campus lunchtime entertainment.
Before coming to Life West, Dr. Thorp served as a U.S. Air Force medic stationed in San Antonio, Texas. He also taught night classes at California State University, Hayward. Voted "Outstanding Instructor of the Year in Clinical Sciences" each year from 1987-1991, Dr. Thorp was also named "Instructor of the Year in Basic Sciences" in 1993.
"You have heard of Doug's talents as a performer," said Life West President Dr. Gerard Clum. "He was no different as a teacher. A course was not a collection of information and facts to Doug. It was a great composition. A classroom was not an architectural form, it was a stage. His instruments on that stage were microscopes and scalpels and autoclaves. He made them sing, he made them come alive."
Dr. Thorp is survived by his daughter, Chelsea, and son, Nathan; his parents, Mildred and Gerald Thorp; and three sisters and two brothers. Donations may be made to the Douglas Thorp Memorial Fund, care of Bay Cities Federal Credit Union, 721 E. 14th St., San Leandro, CA 94577.
Dr. R. Jay Wipf passed away in a small plane crash on March 16, 1996. A major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Nurse Corps and 1987 graduate of National College of Chiropractic, Dr. Wipf was a registered nurse and a Texas practitioner who was instrumental in efforts to commission chiropractors in the military.
In April of 1992 he testified as a member of an ICA/ACA joint panel before the House Military Personnel and Compensation Subcommittee on behalf of H.R. 608, the bill to commission DCs in the military (see the May 22, 1992 issue of "DC"). Dr. Wipf had first hand experience with chiropractic in the military as part of "Operation Desert Storm," providing chiropractic care for hundreds military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Wipf will be sorely missed by his family, and the profession that he so diligently fought for.
Editor's note: We had the pleasure of printing several articles by Dr. Wipf in "DC." In 1991 we published, "Chiropractic in Saudi Arabia." In the Nov. 6, 1995 issue we published, "Associate Doctor -- Financial Realities: Win-Win or No Deal." Just prior to his untimely death, we accepted for publication Dr. Wipf's article, "Confessions of an Accident Report Solicitor." "DC" will print that article in an upcoming issue.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
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