In Memoriam

Robert C. Coddington, MD, beloved patriarch and distinguished physician and surgeon who spent his life in service to others, died on May 31, 2021. He was 89.

During his lifetime, Dr. Coddington was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and GGpa. He was an advocate for his patients, an educator, leader of physicians, and an active participant in many community organizations. He served the public good in professional and governmental activities at the local, state, and national levels and also touched the lives of people of all ages and circumstances through his church and church-related endeavors.

A native of LaPorte, Indiana, Dr. Coddington graduated from Indiana University Medical Center where he received a Doctor of Medicine degree followed by his orthopaedic residency training program. 

Dr. Coddington met the woman who became his wife of 66 years, Nancy Caroline King, while both worked at the U.S. Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Indianapolis.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1966 and later served in the Tennessee Army National Guard where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. He retired with the rank of Colonel.

Dr. Coddington, who came to Chattanooga in 1967, had a private practice with Chattanooga Orthopaedic Group, then opened a solo practice in Pediatric and Adolescent Orthopaedic Surgery in 1974 where he retired in 2009. He chaired the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from 1974 to 1996 where he directed the Orthopedic Resident training program for 29 years. He was responsible for establishing and bringing the UT College of Medicine at Chattanooga to town. He served as associate dean and professor from 1974 to 1983, became the first tenured professor, and was designated an Emeritus Professor upon retirement.

A fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Coddington served as a board examiner for the American Orthopedic Society for 15 years. He also served as president of the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society.

Dr. Coddington developed and headed the Physicians Assistant Training Program at Chattanooga State from 1970 to 1980. He spearheaded establishment of Resident Research Day at Erlanger. Each year, the top resident award for Research Excellence was named to honor him. He held the Crippled Children’s Clinic at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital for 25 years and served with the state Crippled Children’s Board donating his service and expertise to children in need. 

His many awards include the Augustus McCravey Award for dedication and efforts to advance medical education. He was frequently elected by his peers to be included in Best Doctors in America.

Dr. Coddington’s medical volunteer activities included serving on the state Medical Advisory Committee for Crippled Children for 17 years, including 10 years as chair, and serving as consultant for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for more than 25 years. He was team physician for Kirkman and Hixson High Schools, being an orthopaedic consultant for seven high schools over a 15-year period, serving on the Siskin Hospital board of directors from 1984 to 1995, and on the Georgia-Tennessee Regional Health Commission board from 1976 to 1981 and being a founding member of the Southeast Tennessee Area Health Education Center.

In his community, Dr. Coddington served on the Cherokee Area Council for Boy Scouts of America executive committee for 25 years and then on the advisory committee for 12 more, receiving several awards for his service. He was a lecturer for the athletic training program at Bryan College where he served on the board of directors. He was a board member and served as chair of the National Association of Christian Athletes. He served on several committees with Rotary International and was on the board for two years. He also was on the boards of the Chattanooga Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Outreach to America’s Youth and the Men’s Ministry Network where he became chair in 2019. He was a deacon and then an elder at First Presbyterian Church Chattanooga.

Dr. Coddington was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Orville Coddington and brother Richard Coddington. He is survived by his wife, Nan, who was always by his side during his remarkable journey, daughters Kitty (Bill) Fowler and Lisa (Dan) Duncan and son Chuck (Robyn). His grandchildren are Perry (Laura) Duncan, Megan (Danny) Norman, Blake Coddington, Kathryn Duncan, Ian McGowan, and Parker Judd. His great-grandchildren are Ella and Graham Norman. He also leaves many special friends and nieces and nephews.