Donald E Butterfield, a Cape Cod resident, retired Boston physician, researcher, avid traveler, and amateur astronomer passed away peacefully at his home in Provincetown on May 21st. He was 90. A true ‘Renaissance Man’, Don’s journey of curiosity and discovery began in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin as the only child to Merton Weiss Butterfield and Gladys Victoria (Englund) on April 14th, 1932.
A lifelong pursuit of knowledge was his hallmark. The influence of two people in his early life expanded his world. A grade schoolteacher recognizing his vocal talents cast him in plays. The oratory and memorization skills acquired would serve him well throughout life. Benjamin Franklin was the second. Don was impressed by the breadth of Franklin’s curiosity and accomplishments. For Dr. Butterfield, learning about the world around him became a passion.
Graduating from high school, Dr. Butterfield entered the University of Chicago as a physics major but changed his major to pre-med. Donald went on to Harvard University and Harvard Medical School where his surgery professor, helped him see the value and potential of surgery.
Enhanced analytical training came in handy in his medical studies. A professor asked him and another student to determine the effects of acidosis on the circulatory systems of dogs. The resultant research and study, published in Surgical Clinics of North American Journal, changed the way cardiac patients were treated. Subsequently, changes in treatment saved thousands of lives.
In 1963, Dr. Butterfield co-authored two review articles for the New England Journal of Medicine on the pathophysiology of scuba diving. He had become a scuba diving enthusiast while in medical school. Dr. Butterfield’s expertise in scuba physiology and his medical training resulted in restructuring how work under pressurized air was conducted to eliminate the “bends.” In 1960, he was hired by the Perini Co. to be the on-site doctor for the construction of the Callahan Tunnel under Boston Harbor.
In 1965, Dr. Butterfield became the onboard doctor on an 18-month ocean research expedition termed SeaSearch1. The ship’s scientific focus was to visit coral reefs in the Pacific to collect marine sponge samples and analyze them for medicinal and antibiotic properties. After that expedition, Don became part of a US program to fly surgeons to Vietnam to provide training to local doctors.
In 1967, Dr. Butterfield returned to Boston to begin his medical practice. In addition to his many years as a practicing surgeon and physician at various hospitals and clinics in the Boston area, he served as the founding president of the Community Research Initiative of New England (CRI-NE) focused on HIV research and worked as staff physician for five years at the Fenway Community Health Center. He also served as President of Gay and Lesbian Physicians of New England (GaLPoNE).
After a 30-year career as a physician Dr Butterfield retired in 1997.
Dr Butterfield had a life-long fascination with the stars. Growing up in Wauwatosa, he organized backyard meteor shower parties for friends. In later life, he traveled long distances to experience major eclipses. At the age of 70 he purchased a telescope to explore the evening skies above Provincetown. What gave him the most pleasure was the talks at the National Park Service on Cape Cod where he organized Star-Watch for the public Wednesdays, for two summers.
Donald leaves behind his close friend and companion of 45 years, Ken Ishiwata of Provincetown, and many friends locally and around the globe gathered in his years of travel.
At his request, there will be no services.