Edward John Hinman

Our father and husband, Rear Admiral Edward John Hinman MD, MPH, FACP, USPHS was called from this earth in March of this year.  Dr. Hinman had spent over fifteen years bravely fighting Parkinson’s disease before succumbing to pneumonia. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all that knew him to be a kind, loving man and devoted husband.

Dad was dedicated to his family and did everything he could to make their lives interesting, positive and fun. At times throughout his life he enjoyed taking his family camping, gardening, playing the piano, furniture restoration, bowling, singing in a barbershop chorus, vacationing (always), attending football games and fine dining.  Dad was a big time foodie and he liked to visit the best eateries, formaland informal, wherever he was.  This was an interest that his children greatly appreciated while they were living in different locations and he and their Mom would visit.

Our Dad loved our Mother deeply and we could tell.  Their feelings were mutual.  Mom and dad spent a lifetime together having been married in New Orleans in June, 1954.  She learned to cook for him and he tried never to let her out of his sight.

Dad was a believer in making memories.  He and Mom bought a timeshare in Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1985 that is still being enjoyed today.  They thought it a good way to get the family together and it has been.  The grandchildren look back on eagerly waiting for him every morning to take them down to feed the koi in the pond. In the 1960’s there were annual trips to Ocean City when it was still basically a fishing town.  The camping trip to Vermont with our grandparents and cousin from Tylertown, Mississippi is still talked about today.  And while living on St. Leonard’s Creek in Calvert County, Maryland there were legendary annual crab feasts and other parties for family and friends.

Dr. Hinman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in November 1931.  He attended various schools around the country and world before graduating high school in Sheffield, Alabama.  Dr. Hinman did his undergraduate work at the University of Oklahoma and received his Doctorate in medicine from Tulane University in 1955. He was a big fan of both Sooners and Green Wave football.  Dr. Hinman received his Master in Public Health degree from Johns HopkinsUniversity in 1971.

Edward began his career with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in 1955. As he quickly assumed more responsibility he rose in rank.  He retired in 1978 from his final position with the USPHS, Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the Division of Hospitals and Clinics. His family fondly remembers tours of duty at hospital bases in Mobile, AL, New Orleans, LA and various facilities in the Baltimore / Washington area.  His boys particularly appreciated the tour of USPHS sites in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands they enthusiastically accompanied him on in 1975.

Following his retirement from the USPHS Dr.Hinman spent six years as CEO of the Group Health Association. He continued as President or Medical Director with several different HMO’s and community health centers.  Dr. Hinman spent nine years as the Vice President of Medial Affairs for Total Health Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland before his final retirement in 2001.

During his long, impressive career Dr. Hinman was honored by election to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians. He was active in the American College of Preventive Medicine (Vice President), the American College of Medical Informatics, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Maryland State Medical Society, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, and the Medical Society of Virginia. Dadwas first in our hearts and he worked with numerous civic and charitable organizations throughout his life including the American Kidney Foundation and as a Board Member at the Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington, DC.

Dr. Hinman is survived by his devoted wife Jean R. Hinman; his children Cynthia Hartmann, Alan Edward Hinman and David Hinman, his brother Alan Richard Hinman, grandchildren Andrew, JD, Sam, Quinn, Sarah and Emily, nieces Johanna and Katy,and all their significant others, as well as many cousins and friends.  Dad’s first great grandchild is scheduled to be born in November of this year about the same day of his birth. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. E. Harold and Katherine Hinman. There will be a memorial service at the CharlestownRetirement Community May 21.  Dad will be interned with other members of his family in Tylertown, Mississippi.