Dr. Edward Reaver Cathcart

Dr. Edward Reaver Cathcart, “Doc,” 92, husband of Joan Stephan Cathcart, passed away suddenly Sunday, December 6, 2020. Dr. Cathcart was the senior partner and founder of the Woman’s Clinic in Spartanburg. He was originally from Anderson where he went to Boys High School. He went to Duke University and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Upon graduation from Duke, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to Parris Island for training. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from the Corps, he went to the Medical College of South Carolina. He was a member of the medical Honor Society and graduated with honors in 1959. In fact, he was first in his class. He attended Johns Hopkins Medical School for his internship. He completed a four-year residency and a one-year fellowship in OB-GYN at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Doc met Joan in Gainesville and they married on March 21, 1964 and moved to Spartanburg that year. He practiced OB-GYN for seven years before establishing the Woman’s Clinic in 1971. He continued to practice at the Woman’s Clinic until 2007. He delivered over 8,000 babies during his career many of which were second generation infants, and he loved every patient dearly. Over the years he served as Chief of Staff at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. He was a member of the South Carolina OB-GYN Society where he served as secretary, treasurer, and president. He was a member of the Spartanburg County Medical Society, the American Medical Society, the North American GYN Society, Southeastern OB-GYN Society, the Southern Medical Association, Southern OB-GYN Society, and was a fellow of the American College of Gynecologists. He was a charter member of the Howard Kelly Society which honors a medical pioneer. Dr. Cathcart was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 56 years. For the last several years Doc made his home in Inman where he was surrounded by nature. He enjoyed wildlife, bird watching, plant life and his many pets. He had a passion for specimen trees and shrubs. He was never happier than when he was working on his tractor and tending his garden. He had a wonderful knack for fixing anything. Doc and Joan loved to travel and have been all over the world. Tales of everyday generosity were commonplace in his practice. He often accepted alternative forms of payments choosing to charge some patients nothing if he knew they could not pay. He befriended all his patients and their families creating lasting bonds that run deep. To those with whom he worked he was a source of knowledge, resourcefulness and leadership. To his close friends he epitomized loyalty and friendship. He was a compassionate, caring, tender and a devoted healer. All who heard his whistling knew Doc was close by. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a hearty laugh. Doc is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 56 years, Joan. He is also survived by four children, James Henderson Cathcart (Linda) of Gastonia NC, Ellen Cathcart Holmes (Hal) of Inman, SC, Edward Simpson Cathcart (Boo) of Stewart Home and School in Frankfort KY, and Leita Milling Cathcart-Vold (Havard) of Norway. He has three grandchildren, Chelsea, John and Andrew and one great grandchild, Kari. He was the son of the late James Milling Cathcart and Bessie Lee Cathcart of Anderson, SC. Doc was the youngest of ten children. He is predeceased by all. They include sisters, Ellenor Cathcart, Leita McCaughrin, Ruth Kinard, Sara Ruhle, Mary Dickson, Jean Manning, Betty Carpenter, and two brothers, David Cathcart and Jim Cathcart. He was also predeceased by a grandchild, Peter Vold. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Stewart Home and School, 4200 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, KY, 40601, (a home for special needs students). Private services will be held at a later date.