Dr. Herbert Leighton

Dr. Herbert Houck Leighton died peacefully in his sleep at 7:06 am on February 21, 2018 in Oakland, Maryland.  Dr. Leighton was born at 2:52 am on May 21, 1929 in Mt. Lake Park, and was the son of Herbert Cale and Leona Ronelva (Houck) Leighton.  He was preceded in death by his college sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Dorothy Louise (Brock) Leighton. The two shared a love of music, a taste in art, a sense of humor, and their religious faith. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Richard Leighton, of Savannah GA, three daughters, Dr. Barbara Louise (Mark Salsgiver) Leighton, of Oakland, Catherine (Jeffrey) Boulter of Lima, OH, Ann Elizabeth Leighton, Oakland, and one son, Herbert Vernon (Lauren) Leighton of Winona, MN. He has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  After graduating from Oakland High School in 1946, Dr. Leighton attended Western Maryland (now McDaniel) College and the University of Maryland Medical School, where he graduated in 1953. Raised in a funeral home, he became an obstetrician, helping to bring life into the world. He married Dorothy on June 21, 1953 while he was an intern in Baltimore.  Dr. Leighton performed his two years military service at Fort Eustis VA, beginning in 1955. He then began practice in Oakland on February 15, 1957. With the able assistance of nurses, such as Thelma Wolfe and Mary Ellen Lichty, and office staff, such as Peggy Norwish and Harriet Moon, Dr. Leighton practiced for over forty years in Oakland, delivering a career total of 6,410 babies. From 1987 to 1996, he was also the medical examiner for Garrett County and assisted law enforcement authorities in their investigation of a number of homicides.  In his retirement, he served on the local Hospice board and the regional American Red Cross board.  Dr. Leighton enjoyed singing, took voice training in college, and often sang solos or duets with his wife Dorothy in the choir at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Oakland, where he was a life-long member.  Because of his dry sense of humor, Dr. Leighton was often asked to be Master of Ceremonies for dinners when doctors retired from the Garrett Memorial community. And, some say because of his reputation for a lack of punctuality, his portrait now hangs in the waiting room of the hospital's new Family-Centered Maternity Suite. Dr. Leighton was also a patron of the arts, contributing especially to the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival. He and Barbara and Gene Flinn started the Dorothy Leighton Music Scholarship at Garrett College.  Friends will be received at the C&S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland, MD, on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 318 E. Oak St., Oakland, MD, at 1 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2018 with Rev. Matthew Paugh officiating.  Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 318 E. Oak St., Oakland, MD 21550; the Garrett Regional Medical Center, 251 N 4th St., Oakland, MD 21550 or the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839 Boone, IA 50037-0839.  Condolences for the family may be left at www.csfredlockfh.com