Dr. John E Alexander, age 91, died March 30, 2003, at Mary Elizabeth Nursing Center in Mystic, Connecticut of pneumonia. Dr. Alexander settled in Northern Virginia and was in private practice there as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon from 1939 to 1986.
He was born in Berkley, Virginia to David John and Rachael Pillar Alexander on Feb 1, 1912. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in high school and received medals for his decathlon feats.
He attended William and Mary College and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1935. He married Anita Richardson in 1939 of Washington D.C. He served his country as a Major in the U.s. Army during WWII, and in Europe during the Normandy Invasion. During the Korean conflict he also served as a Lt. Col. In the U. S Air Force and was Hospital Commander and far East Air Force Consultant in Plastic Surgery in Japan and Korea. He was highly decorated during both wars, and was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1952.
He was a founding member and past president of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery as well as the D.C. Metropolitan Are Society of plastic-Reconstructive Surgery. He was also a founder of Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital Corporation. Dr. Alexander was board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT-Otolaryngology. He was a flight Surgeon and became qualified in Underwater Medicine. After retirement he served in Africa as a medical missionary.
In addition to his love of medicine and his family, he enjoyed many pastimes including scuba diving, swimming and golf. His wife , Anita, survives him, as do his three children, Dr. John M. Alexander of Richmond Virginia, Hazel A. Watson, (Mrs. Charles E.) of Ledyard, Connecticut, and Don Alexander of Vienna, Virginia. He has four grandchildren, Stadish Alexander and Sterling Alexander of Virginia, Shelley Watson and Rachel Watson, of Connecticut. He has three nieces Charlene Alexander, Betty Rae Emery, and Vita Suzette Sheehy.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic, on Wednesday at 3pm. There are no visiting hours. Donations may be made to the American Red Cross .