Herbert Sieker, M.D.

Obituary Herbert Otto Sieker, M.D., 92, of Morehead City, formerly of Durham, died Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Crystal Coast Hospice House, Newport. He was Professor Emeritus at Duke University Medical Center. Family graveside service will be held at a later date. Well known as one of Dukes finest clinicians and physiologists, he was a member of the Department of Medicine from 1948 1988, when a battle with B-cell Lymphoma forced his retirement. He was born in Maplewood (St. Louis), MO in 1924. Upon high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and attended Washington University and Miami University in Oxford, OH. He entered Medical School at Washington University in 1944, and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha, a Medical Honor Society, in 1948. On June 15, 1948, Dr. Sieker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Linberg, and moved to Durham, NC to serve his internship and residency at Duke. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he was a research physiologist on the Biophysics Unit in the Aerospace Laboratory. His initial research focused on the physiologic responses to acceleration. Dr. Sieker returned to Duke where he spent the rest of his career in the Department of Medicine. He became a leader in the field of cardiopulmonary physiology when, in 1954, he published the first research papers that led to the identification of the blood volume control system in the heart. He also published papers on cardio-respiration, physiology, sleep disorders, obesity, pulmonary disease, allergy, and immunology. During a three-year period as Assistant Dean of Duke University School of Medicine, he was involved in the development of a new Medical School curriculum. From 1965 1979, Dr. Sieker started and was Chief of the Division of Allergy, Critical Care, and Respiratory Medicine. He was the first to lead the Hyperbaric Lab at Duke. Through his career, he was involved in research, teaching, and clinical care of patients. At one time, Dr. Sieker cared for one of the largest patient populations in the Department of Medicine. His compassion made him well liked by his patients. He was also the first doctor at Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer. He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church and Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, a past-president of the Coral Bay Club, Atlantic Beach, NC, and a life member of the Iron Dukes. Upon his retirement, he spent his time divided between Durham and Morehead City, where he enjoyed many years with his family, dogs, gardens and boat. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dottie; his daughter, Debbie Boddiford, son-in-law, Dyches Boddiford of Marietta, Georgia; granddaughters, Dorsie of Marietta, Georgia, and Laurie of Miami Florida. A brother, Harry, of Walnut Creek, California also survives. His parents, Otto Henry Sieker and Lizzie Moeckli Sieker, precede him in death. He will be celebrated as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and "complete physician". "Well done, good and faithful servant." The family would like to thank the staff at Snug Harbor, Sea Level, NC, Dr. Art Klose, Dr. Jamie Crosswell, and, especially, his and Dots loving caregiver, Becky Paul, of Davis, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Herbert O. Sieker, M.D. Endowment Fund, c/o Erica Kitchen, Duke Health, Development and Alumni Affairs, Box 90616, Durham, NC 27708, or to St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 215 Ann Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 or to Crystal Coast Hospice House, P.O. Box 640, Newport, NC 28570. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City. Access online obituary and Internet condolences through www.brooksfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. Facts Born: March 20, 1924 Place of Birth: Maplewood, MO Death: June 11, 2016 Place of Death: Newport, NC Occupation: Professor of Medicine Services Family graveside service at a later date. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Herbert Sieker, M.D.