James Witwer James Witwer, an orthopedic surgeon...

James Witwer

James Witwer, an orthopedic surgeon known as a pioneer in

performing joint replacement surgeries at Hoag Hospital, died Friday

of an undisclosed illness. He was 69.

Witwer joined the hospital’s orthopedic department in 1969 and

became chief of staff in 1980. He also served on the hospital’s board

between 1994 and 1997. He retired in October 2001.

Witwer was a doctor “respected by his colleagues for his surgical

skills and commitment to his patients,” said Mike Stephens, president

and chief executive of Hoag Hospital.

“He held himself and others to a very high standard,” Stephens

said. “He was challenging the organization sometimes, but everybody

had a lot of respect for him.”

Steven Gausewitz, an orthopedic surgeon who worked with Witwer for

15 years, said Witwer was “a wonderful person.”

“His patients loved him,” he said. “He had a great sense of

humor.”

Gausewitz said Witwer was probably the first surgeon at Hoag to

perform joint replacement surgeries in high volume. Stephens said

Witwer specialized in hip replacement surgery.

Witwer is survived by his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. A

private service was held.

Helen F. Kreutzkamp

A viewing for 57-year Newport Beach resident Helen F. Kreutzkamp

will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at Pacific View Mortuary.

The services will follow at noon.

Ms. Kreutzkamp died Monday of natural causes. She was 91.

She is survived by sons Bruce and Cliff Kreutzkamp; daughter

Beverley Kongle; brother Clinton DeLancey; and three grandchildren.

Dorothy M. Holland

Services for former 30-year Costa Mesa resident Dorothy M. Holland

will be held at noon Monday at Pacific View Mortuary in Corona del

Mar.

Ms. Holland died Feb. 27 of natural causes. She was 95. She is

survived by daughters Joan Golden and Susan Hauser; five

grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

* The Daily Pilot welcomes obituaries for residents or former

residents of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. If you want to have an

obituary printed in the Pilot, ask your mortuary to fax us the

information at (949) 646-4170 or call the newsroom at (949) 764-4324.