Catherine Frances Wynekoop

Catherine visited Washington D.C. with her mother when she was 2 1/2 years old. Her mother was attending a eugenics meeting at the White House. When the meeting was over, President Taft greeted the delegates. Too small to be seen but easily heard, the President picked Catherine up and held her in his arms. Catherine put a finger on his tie and asked him if he didn't think her hair ribbon was prettier. That distinguised ribbon was put away with Catherine's baby clothes.

*****
University of Chicago Chronicle
June 8, 2000
Vol. 19, No. 18

Dr. Catherine Dobson, 91, healed many in her nearly seven-decade career in OB-Gyn

Dr. Catherine Dobson, 91 Clincal Associate in Obstetrics & Gynecology, died Thursday, May 11, in Hyde Park. In her career that spanned nearly seven decades, Dobson helped heal thousands of patients and shaped the careers of hundreds of obstetricians and gynecologists.

Dobson entered Northwestern University Medical School in 1926, the first year that university began to accept female students. She later transfered to the University of Chicago/Rush Medical School from which she graduated in 1930. She served as an associate in gynecologic surgery for Rush and Cook County hospitals and was an instructor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Illinois.

Dobson worked as a gynecologist for the Mary Bartelme Homes, Youth Guidance and the Jewish Chidlren's Bureau, all in Chicago. Dobson also privately practiced obstetrics and gynecology from 1936 to 1980.

After admitting many of her patients to Chicago Lying-in Hospital at the University for nearly 44 years, she joined the University Hospitals staff in January 1981 as a Clinical Associate.

In 1991, Dobosn made provisions for a professorship in her name that would, in part, be funded with proceeds from the sale of a Stradivarius violin she owned. At the time the professorship was established, it was determined it would be awarded to "scholar-scientists who are engaged in the study of reproduction and have a special interest in the problems of infertility."

Dr. Arthur Herbst, the Joseph Boliver De Lee Distinguished Service Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics & Gynecology, said, "Dr. Dobson was a warm and caring physician who took superb care of her patients, and she was much beloved by them. She was a long-time loyal friend of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the University, I consider myself very lucky to have known her."

Dobson's estate will benefit the University Library and the departments of Music and Obstetrics & Gynecology.

  Events

• She appeared on the census in 1910 at 3406 West Monroe Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She lived in the household of her parents.

• She appeared on the census in 1920 at 3406 West Monroe Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She lived in the household of her parents.

• She appeared on the census in 1930 at 3406 West Monroe Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She lived in the household of her widowed mother.

• Her Social Security Number was 339-38-6356.

• She worked as a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.

• She had a residence at 25 East Washington Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

• She had a residence at 5842 Stony Island Avenue in 1961 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

Catherine married Willard Dobson between 1933 and 1945.