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1947- 2007
Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., co-founder of Bastyr University, died of a myocardial infarction Tuesday night, January 23, 2007, just hours after hearing of the death of his youngest son, Noah Mitchell, also of a myocardial infarction. This tragic loss brought together people young and old, from many facets of life, from all across the country and the world, embracing who these men were and how they touched many in their respective networks of friends, particularly, in the case of Bill, in the natural healing community.
“There is a ripple in the force.” These were the words that resounded so strongly from those far and near who heard the news of the passing over of Bill Mitchell. As his family, the naturopathic community, the Bastyr community, the herbal community, and everyone else whose heart and soul have been touched by Dr. Mitchell grieve this loss, we pause now to remember who he was to all of us.
William Mitchell was a doctor, teacher, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, author, philosopher, herbalist, yoga teacher, colleague, mentor, and friend. He was the embodiment of love, exuding heart felt energy wherever he was to whoever was near him. He was a precious being who graced many of our lives.
Born in Chicago on March 15, 1947, Dr. Mitchell grew up in the Midwest and began his undergraduate work at Marquette University on a Naval ROTC scholarship. He then transferred to the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor's degree in history. He served as an active naval reservist in Vietnam for two years before returning to the Northwest to get an education at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Seattle, WA (re-located to Portland, OR, in 1977).
Since his youth, Dr. Mitchell was a gifted guitarist. "He was an incredible guitar teacher. I took private guitar lessons from him. He was just incredible," said Bob Nelson. In the mid-1970s, Nelson, Mitchell and several other musicians ran a folk guitar program at Everett Community College. Their evening classes attracted guitarists of all ages. "Bill Mitchell probably taught hundreds of students here," Nelson said.
After graduating as a naturopathic physician, Dr. Mitchell went into private practice in the office of Joe Pizzorno, ND. In 1978, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Pizzorno, Les Griffith, ND and Sheila Quinn co-founded what is today Bastyr University. The original name was The John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine after Bill, Joe and Les’s mentor in naturopathic medicine, Dr. John Bastyr. There are many stories about the history of this endeavor, which are being collected and archived at Bastyr. It was through the dedication and sacrifice of time and resources from these four individuals that Bastyr University had its inception. Dr. Mitchell continued to serve on the faculty of the School of Naturopathic Medicine and the Board of Trustees until his death.
A number of people remember stories of hiking in the mountains with Bill. He was a very fast hiker, often challenging to keep up with as he climbed higher and higher toward the peaks. Along the way he would pause, harvest a plant, identify it, discuss its medicinal uses, and then continue on his ascent. Bill was one with the plants, in intimate relationship, in deep knowing, and always in awe and wonder at the healing powers held within the plants. Joan Southon, a close companion of Bill’s, said that his true love was for the “plant people,” his best friends. She told this story of Bill and one of his plant friends, cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana). He had bottles of herbal extract everywhere, inside, outside, in the car, in his briefcase. For this one of his favorite herbs he had a bottle of extract made from the bark of this tree 75 years ago, and would pass this around the room for taste comparison with extracts of this plant made more recently. He would say, “You’re not going to find cascara sagrada tasting like this older extract does. It is thick, like molasses, rich and nourishing.” Joan is planning on doing a planting this spring of cascara trees at Creekside, a place in North Bend where they spent time together.
In the past few years, Dr. Mitchell spoke at many herbal gatherings across the country, as well as always speaking at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). More recently, he came to a decision that he was going to teach primarily though sharing case studies from his 25-plus years in practice. “These stories are the truths of our medicine,” he would say, “and I want to spread the word about these truths.” These stories can be found recorded from the Medicines from the Earth Conference, The Southwest Botanical Conference, Herb Fest 2006, the AANP Convention, and numerous other venues.
Bill was a scientist, had a very keen understanding of biochemical pathways, and at the same time, he was the embodiment of spirit. It was not uncommon to sit with Bill in the middle of a very detailed, intense conversation, look into his eyes, and see that he was off in some other dimension. He walked between the worlds, and sometimes he had to be invited to return to this one and finish the conversation. At this time, he decided he was going to just keep on walking. And even though he is not with us in body on the planet any longer, many have felt his presence even stronger. Bill Mitchell will keep on healing, keep on teaching, and keep on being. He is choosing to work from another dimension. As Dr. Molly Linton so eloquently stated, “he is the heart and soul of our medicine.”
"Bill had a remarkable way of helping people feel better about themselves. Patients loved him. Students loved him," his friend and colleague Dr. Joe Pizzorno said. "He had a warmth and sincerity that came through to all who knew him."
American Botanical Council Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal wrote, “Dr. Mitchell was a wise and generous man, with a deep sense of spirit. His contributions to natural medicine, particularly in co-creating Bastyr University, will have a positive, long-term and indelible impact on the course of American health care. He deserves the respect and gratitude of all of us in the natural healing community and the millions of health consumers who will benefit from his vision and commitment.”
Dr. Mitchell is survived by his parents, Rachel and William Mitchell, Sr. of Trumbull, CT, brothers Thomas of Flint, MI and Michael of Bridgeport, CT , sister Laurell Macura Trumbull, CT, daughters Rachel Colburn of Redmond, WA, and Dr. (ND) Leah Mitchell of Seattle, son Saul of Seattle, and two grandchildren.
Additional information on Dr. Mitchell’s many accomplishments and tributes from his friends, colleagues and students can be accessed on the following websites:
Bastyr University:
http://rememberingdrmitchell.blogspot.com
At this time, postings need to be sent through cmoffit@bastyr.edu. It will be linked to the Bastyr website soon.
AANP:
http://naturopathic.lv0.net/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=89&tabid=97
The Integrator Blog: http://theintegratorblog.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=189.
Donations to the William A. Mitchell Jr., ND Fund can be made at any Bank of America, account # 31165251, or by sending a check to the Fund at 518 First Ave. N., Suite 28, Seattle, WA 98109
-Robin DiPasquale, ND, Chair of Bastyr University’s Botanical Medicine Department
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