Dr. Hathaway Brubaker

Dr. Leonard Hathaway Brubaker, 86, a retired physician, passed away on December 6, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. A memorial service celebrating the life of Leonard Brubaker will be held at a time still to be decided when pandemic conditions allow. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Miles Brubaker; three daughters and their spouses, Martha (Kyle) Beeson, Beth (Paul) Cornelison and Lenna (Chuck) Applebee; five grandchildren, Will and Mary Frances Beeson, Jeffery Cornelison, and Jonathan and Katherine Applebee; his sister, Barbara (James) Hightower; sister-in-law Nancy Brubaker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Leonard Hathaway Brubaker, Sr., and his brother, Dr. Richard F. Brubaker. Dr. Brubaker was born on July 14, 1934, in Macon, Georgia. After graduating from Lanier High School, he enrolled at Duke University, where he met his future wife. After earning his A.B. from Duke, he served in the Navy for three years, then attended medical school at Emory University, where he earned both his M.S. in Biochemistry and his M.D. After completing his residency at Emory University Hospital and the Atlanta VA Hospital, he joined the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, as a clinical associate. His medical career later took him to Ohio State Medical School, then to the University of Missouri Medical Center, where he both taught and practiced Hematology/Oncology. In 1978, Dr. Brubaker took a position at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, where he continued his practice of Hematology/Oncology and served as a Professor of Medicine. Later, he joined Medical Oncology Associates until his retirement in December 1999. Over the span of his medical and research career, Dr. Brubaker was a member of several national professional organizations and study groups. He published the results of his research in numerous professional journals. Dr. Brubaker's family and friends will remember him as a gentle, quiet man with a sense of whimsy, intelligence and deep love. A photography buff, train enthusiast, and chocolate ice cream connoisseur, he embraced simple life pleasures as much as bigger celebrations. He found equal contentment in hearing chirping frogs on a summer night as he did listening to his beloved classical music. He could pivot from discussing the latest medical research with his family to enjoying the antics of the Muppets with his grandchildren. He was a dedicated and compassionate physician, loyal and loving husband, and a patient and caring father. A lifelong Christian, he ensured his children were raised with an understanding of God's grace and modeled the integrity and kindness Jesus taught. Dr. Brubaker loved music and sang with choirs throughout his adult life, including the St. John United Methodist Church choir in Augusta and the Augusta Choral society, where he served a term as president. His passion for music also led him to serve on the pipe organ selection committee at St. John UMC, which provided the opportunity to learn about the production of the instruments and visit magnificent organs around Europe. For his health's sake, Dr. Brubaker started jogging as a young adult and went on to completed several marathons and half-marathons. After his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to locations in Europe as well as numerous trips throughout their beloved Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. His travels afforded him ample opportunities to indulge his loves of photography and learning. In his later years, Dr. Brubaker also volunteered at DCCM, and he satisfied his interest in learning by joining Elderhostel tours and regularly attending a French conversation group. Dr. Brubaker's family wishes to thank Dr. Jon Reimer, the staff and administration of Westwood Extended Care Facility for their compassionate care of Dr. Brubaker. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the music program of St. John United Methodist Church, Augusta, GA, or the Golden Harvest Food Bank of Augusta, GA.

Dr. Hathaway Brubaker

December 9, 2020