EZRA ROOSEVELT AUSTIN

A native of Kentucky, Ezra Austin was born in Adeline on March 13, 1907, the son of James M. and Ida Church Austin. His B.A. was received at Berea College in Kentucky where he was the youngest member and valedictorian of his class. He then attended the University of Louisville College of Medicine and graduated in 1932 as an honor student and third in a class of 96 members.

From 1932 to 1933 Dr. Austin interned at Marine Hospital in new Orleans, LA. At the conclusion of his internship, he began his practice in Circleville, Ohio. After four years there he went to New York where he served a residency (1937-1939) in Otolaryngology at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.

It was across an operating table that Dr. Austin first met his future wife, Anne Margaret Covelusky, a nurse at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. They were married on March 17, 1939 and became the parents of three daughters: Nancy B. (Mrs. Robert Tracy), Margaret Jean "Jeanie" (Mrs. Tony Navara) and Linda Leilani (Mrs. Douglas Halsted).

Coming to Hawaii in 1939, Dr. Austin joined the staff of The Straub Clinic where he specialized in Otolaryngology. He was licensed to practice in Hawaii in 1939, in Kentucky in 1932 and Ohio 1933. He was board certified in Otolaryngology in 1946. In the early 1950's Dr. Austin went into private practice and had an office in the Waikiki area where he practiced until his retirement in 1970.

During his years in Honolulu, he was a member of the Honolulu Medical Society (1939), the Hawaii Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the International College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology. He was also a member of Central Union Church and served on the Board of Deacons.

Moving to Leisure World at Laguna Hills, California on his retirement in 1970, Dr. and Mrs. Austin made it their home until their deaths. Dr. Austin was a gentle, kindly, quiet man, but when he did express an opinion it was both pertinent and worthy of attention. Under his quiet exterior there was an ever present will to excel in everything he did, as is seen in his scholastic record. When he moved to Leisure World, he was introduced for the first time to shuffleboard and very shortly became an expert. After serving as secretary and treasurer, in 1977 he was elected president of the Leisure World Shuffleboard Association and was awarded the Ira McGee Memorial trophy given annually to the member of the traveling team who had made outstanding contributions. In the same year he was chosen Man of the Year by the Laguna Hills Shuffleboard Association.

Dr. Austin was very skilled in woodworking and also enjoyed gardening, especially raising orchids. In Hawaii he was a member of the Hawaii Orchid Society. But his greatest joy was his family. His daughter, Linda, in speaking of her father said "he was always supportive of us all; a very loving parent".

Mrs. Austin died on September 19, 1986 and Dr. Austin on the following day, September 20, 1986. They are survived by their three daughters.

[The above biography was written by an unidentified person who apparently knew Dr. and Mrs. Austin at Leisure World.]

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