Armistead Talman, MD

Class Year

1958

Affiliation

Alumni

Posted on: November 19, 2018

Dr. Edward Armistead Talman was born on July 24, 1932 in Richmond, Va. and died October 31, 2018. He was the son of Helen Rose Talman and Carter Edmonds Talman and he was predeceased by them as well as his brother, Carter Edmonds Talman, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Margaret Williams Talman, and his daughter, Elizabeth Armistead Talman Ramsey, as well as his step children whom he always considered his own. They are Margaret Bowers LeCorgne (Matt) of New Orleans, John Ros Bowers, Jr. (Didi) and Ann Bowers Steele (Bo) of Richmond. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Talman, Shepard and Wit Ramsey and nine step grandchildren whom he likewise considered his own. They are Caitlin LeCorgne Houstoun (Dillon), Matthew LeCorgne Jr, Morgan LeCorgne, Peyton LeCorgne, Page Bowers, Molly Bowers, Jack Bowers, Robert Steele and James Steele.

Armistead would be the first to tell you that he had a wonderful life and was grateful to enjoy so many of its blessings. Those who knew him were well aware of his gratitude for having been a graduate of St. Christopher’s School and of The University of Virginia where he was Phi Beta Kappa and President of the Student Council. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, ODK, the Raven Society, Eli Banana, the Z Society and The Lawn Chowder and Marching Society. After graduating from UVA Medical School and following an internship in Boston, he served two years as a Captain in the U.S, Army Medical Corps. He subsequently completed a five-year surgical residency at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with Dr Jonathon Rhoads.

Sometime during the years when Armistead (#470) was still operating, he misplaced his Z Society ring that he had removed prior to scrubbing for surgery. Thereafter, he proudly and consistently wore the Z ring of his deceased father-in-law, Daniel L. Williams, Sr (#286) class of 1932 at The University.

In 1966 Armistead returned to his native city to join Surgical Associates of Richmond in the practice of general surgery. He served on the Board of Chippenham-Johnston Willis Hospital for 30 years and was Chief of Surgery at Johnston Willis for 11 years. He was a member of the Southern Surgical Association and President of the Virginia Surgical Society and the Eastern Surgical Society.

Although he gladly accepted his appointment as Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia, VCU, Armistead was a non-academic community surgeon. As such, he felt most privileged to have been selected as one of the co-authors of two successive nationwide continuing education SESAP examinations for the American College of Surgeons.

His non-professional activities included service on numerous boards, including St. Christopher’s School, the Country Club of Virginia, the UVA Alumni Association and the Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia where for two years he was Chairman.

During the course of his busy surgical career, he made time for many diversions with his family. He loved to ski and made sure that every family member learned to ski with him. Sailing on the Chesapeake Bay was a requirement for family and friends and he took many trips to Annapolis from Fishing Bay. He also skippered several sailing trips with his family in the Virgin Islands. Tennis was a lifelong hobby and he continued to enjoy the game well into his eighties. He enjoyed playing at golf too, especially with his Wednesday lunch buddies and formerly with the Knockers. Fly fishing was another favorite retirement hobby, which took him to Chile, Argentina and New Zealand. For quite a few years he was the titular President of The Turkey Mountain Fly Fishing Club in Rappahannock County.

After he retired, he joined a couples’ Book Group and spent many hours studying the selected book whether or not he was reviewing it. Although he had a hard time working a word in, when he spoke everyone listened carefully.

In 2004 he was recognized as a distinguished Alumnus by William Fox Public School for his years of tutoring at his elementary alma mater.

Armistead was a devoted member of St Mary’s Episcopal Church where he had served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. A Memorial service will take place at St Mary’s, 12291 River Road on Tuesday, November 6, at 2 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to consider a gift to: the Margaret W. and E. Armistead Talman Medical School Scholarship Fund, UVA Medical School Foundation, P.O. Box 800776, Charlottesville, Va. 22908; St Mary’s Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond, Va. 23238; or St. Christopher’s School, 711 St. Christopher’s Road, Richmond, Va. 23226.