Dr. William G. Plavcan, 87, a beloved physician of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away April 19, 2021 at his home.
Bill was born to Cathryn and Joseph Plavcan May 16, 1933 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
After attending Ohio Wesleyan University, he earned an MD from Temple Medical School and went on to specialize in urology as a naval surgeon.
Following 10 years of service in the Navy, he practiced first in Waycross, Georgia, and then moved to Hagerstown to join the practice of the Urological Clinic, P.A.
He retired and took a position as vice president of medical affairs at Washington County Hospital, where he served for six years.
During his 51 years in Hagerstown, he served on the board of St. John’s Episcopal Church, set up the Physician’s Education Fund, founded the Kidney Transplant Program, and Palliative Care Unit at WCH.
He served as a board member and benefactor of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, was an active member of the Elk’s Club, the American Legion, the Rotary Club, and was a Freemason.
He attended Haven Lutheran Church for more than 14 years until his passing.
Bill was married for 40 years to his best friend and love, Rebecca Plavcan, who survives him.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joanna Schneider; his first wife, Carol; and his eldest son, William Gunton Jr.
He is survived by his sisters, Lisa Drumm and husband, Donald, and Catherine Plavcan; his son, Dr. Joseph Michael Plavcan and wife, Kimberly; his stepdaughters, Kelly Connery, and Teri Shank and husband, Edward; his grandchildren, John Plavcan, Sarah Plavcan, Jennifer Plavcan, Jessica Wishard and husband, Terry, Ashley Baker and fiancé, George Comegys, Meghan Hessler, and Gregory Hessler and wife, Elizabeth; and great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, EmmaGrace, Abigail, Lewis, Arthur, Evelyn and Jude.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be sent to Hospice of Washington County, which provided compassionate, deeply appreciated care and service to Bill in his last days.
Services will be announced at a later date.
A 2nd published obituary article
Published by Erie Times-News on Apr. 25, 2021.
Dr. William G. Plavcan, 87, a beloved physician of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away April 19, 2021 in his home. Bill was born to Cathryn and Joseph Plavcan May 16, 1933 in Erie Pennsylvania.
His parents were both schoolteachers and artists in Erie, and raised their children to value above all education and service, traits which defined his years of dedicated service to the medical community and to the people of Hagerstown. While growing up, Bill always loved swimming and fishing. He served as a lifeguard in Erie on the public beaches of “the Peninsula,” and told many stories of the people he rescued from the jetties along Lake Erie. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was captain of the collegiate swimming team and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He attended Temple Medical School where he earned his M.D. through a Navy scholarship. He went on to specialize in Urology. After completing his internship in Philadelphia, he moved to Jacksonville, Fla., where he completed his residency and served as a naval surgeon. He retired from the Navy after ten years of service, then entered private practice, first in Waycross, Georgia, and then in 1970 moved with his family to Hagerstown, Md. There he practiced at the Urological Clinic P.A. in Hagerstown until his retirement. He then briefly worked at the Vein Center for several months until taking a position as Vice President for Medical Affairs at the Washington County Hospital, where he served for six years until his ultimate retirement. Bill’s life was underscored by his dedication to service. He will be remembered for the many lives that he touched as a compassionate physician, friend, and benefactor. But he was equally dedicated to public service. During his 51 years in Hagerstown, he served on the Board of St. John’s Episcopal Church, set up the Physician’s Education Fund, founded the Kidney Transplant program, and Palliative Care Unit at the WCH. He loved the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, serving as a benefactor, board member, and director, and proudly donated several of his father’s paintings. He was an active member of the Elk’s club, the American Legion, and the Rotary club. He was a Freemason, and especially enjoyed participating in the Jester’s club. He was a longtime member of Fountainhead Country club. He attended Haven Lutheran Church for more than 14 years until his passing. Bill will always be remembered by his family and friends for his passion for fishing, hunting, and golf. He especially loved dogs, and proudly recalled his beloved Airedale, Molly, whom he trained as a champion obedience dog, his favorite hunting dogs, and his last dog, Toby. He was an avid fan of the Orioles and the Ravens, and held season tickets to the latter for many years.
Bill was married for 40 years to his best friend and love Rebecca Plavcan, who survived him and cared for him to his last.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, his sister Joanna Schneider, his first wife Carol, and his eldest son, William Gunton Jr.
He is survived by his sisters, Lisa Drumm and husband Donald, Catherine Plavcan, his son Dr. Joseph Michael Plavcan and wife Kimberly, his step daughters Kelly Connery, Teri Shank and husband Edward, his grandchildren John Plavcan, Sarah Plavcan, Jennifer Plavcan, Jessica Wishard and husband Terry, Ashley Baker and fiancé George Comegys, Meghan Hessler, Gregory Hessler and wife Elizabeth, and great-grandchildren Jocelyn, EmmaGrace, Abigail, Lewis, Arthur, Evelyn and Jude.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be sent to Hospice of Washington County, who provided compassionate, deeply appreciated care and service to Bill in his last days. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com.
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