Kaye Wilkins Obituary

Kaye Evan Wilkins, DVM, MD
September 22, 1934 - October 25, 2023
Kaye Wilkins passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; revered surgeon, and compassionate humanitarian.

Born on September 22, 1934, Kaye was the son of the late Tivis Eber Wilkins and Arlie Hughes Wilkins. He spent his early childhood years in Annapolis, Maryland, after which Kaye's family moved to Kirkwood, Missouri. Kaye graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1952. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in 1957. It was during his senior year in college that he met Sidney Howell, whom he married on June 9, 1957, and theirs was a marriage that produced three sons and welcomed three daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

In 1963, Kaye enrolled in the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, from which he graduated second in the class of 1966. He was the co-recipient of the Ho Din award, an honor which recognized him as one who exemplified "the unique personal qualities embodied in all great physicians – knowledge, understanding, and compassion." After a year of internship, Kaye served for two years as a captain in the US Air Force, during which time he and his family were stationed on the island of Crete. Following his service in the Air Force, Kaye and his family moved to Dallas, where he completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery. He was awarded a one-year fellowship in pediatric orthopaedics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. In 1973, Kaye accepted a position on the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he served on a full-time or adjunct basis for the next 44 years.

During the years he was an adjunct to the faculty of the Health Science Center, Kaye worked in private practice as the first pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in San Antonio. He worked closely and tirelessly with the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital to develop a pediatric orthopaedic program that reached children throughout South Texas; in addition, he provided leadership for The Muzquiz Project, an outreach program of the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital and the Goldbury Foundation, supporting the special needs of disabled children living in northern Mexico. For his many years of pediatric orthopaedic care, for his long tenure of faithful service to the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital system, and for his dedication to The Muzquiz Project, the Kaye E. Wilkins Endowed Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics was established in his honor in 2009.

In 1984, Kaye became co-editor with Drs. Rockwood and Green of a textbook, "Fractures in Children," the latest edition of which remains the premier textbook in the field of pediatric orthopaedics today. The respect of his orthopaedic peers opened the door for innumerable opportunities for Kaye to lecture at conferences across the nation and in 58 countries around the world. He was also a founding member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), serving as President of that organization from 1987-88, and serving as Chairman of the Committee on Orthopaedics in Underdeveloped Regions from 1980-2002. In that role, he played host to numerous orthopaedic surgeons from around the world, and assisted in the formation of pediatric orthopaedic societies in India, Mexico, and Vietnam. He also served a term as President of the Texas Orthopaedic Society.

In addition to his many professional accolades, Kaye Wilkins will be remembered as a consummate humanitarian. He had deep and abiding compassion for the plight of people in less-developed nations, and he used his professional influence to serve others, whether it was in San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley or around the world.

Kaye's heart was especially moved by the poverty and lack of medical services in Haiti. Over the years, Kaye visited Haiti more than 40 times. He established a non-surgical clubfoot correction program throughout Haiti, and he trained numerous Haitian surgeons in skills that would improve the quality of, and access to, vital medical treatment.

For his humanitarian efforts at home and abroad, Kaye was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year by the Arthritis Foundation of San Antonio (1997), by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2008), and by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (2011). Kaye's humanitarian compassion was an outworking of his faith in God, a faith that was nurtured through his involvement in the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio.


Kaye loved the outdoors, and always sought opportunities to go hiking. He was especially fond of Rocky Mountain National Park, and Kaye and his family returned year after year to hike the trails, listen to the elk bugling, watch the quaking of the aspen trees, and to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

More than any of his professional and educational accomplishments, Kaye was exceedingly proud of his family. He told everyone that the best thing he ever did was to marry Sidney, who was the rock that kept him grounded in his family. He instilled in his family his compassion and generosity toward others, his love for the outdoors, and his love for travels and adventure.

Kaye was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Gail Atkins and Arlis Mercer. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sidney; his three sons, David (Margie), Stephen (Carol) and Allen (Maya); his four grandchildren, Stuart Wilkins (Kate), Helen Wilkins, Benjamin Wilkins (Verity), Emma Wilkins; and his great-granddaughter, Iris Wilkins.

Kaye's family is very grateful to Heart of Texas Hospice, especially Ally Crayton and Madison Kubeczka, for the compassion and care they showed to Kaye and to all of his family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo Street, with a reception to follow. For those unable to attend the memorial, you may watch the livestreaming from the link found within his obituary page at www.porterloring.com.


In lieu of flowers, Kaye's family would be honored if memorial gifts are given to the CHRISTUS Children's Foundation, P.O. Box 1661, San Antonio, Texas 78296-1661 or at christuschildrensfoundation.org; or to First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78205.

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