June 21, 1925 - August 29, 2023
Edward Caul left us suddenly on August 29, 2023, after a prolonged decline in health. He lived with these challenges with dignity and courage. It is with sorrow that we say goodbye to this warm, loving man who did so much for others. We will mourn him and miss him forever.
Ed was a man of vision, compassion, integrity, character and perseverance. These attributes were accompanied by a keen sense of humor, often with a twinkle in his eye. He embodied the spirit of the 1940’s known as the “Greatest Generation”.
He was born on June 21, 1925, in Plainfield, New Jersey, to Henry Joseph Caul and Martha Fuller Caul. The family added two daughters, Doris and Marion, and a son David. Ed led an idyllic childhood despite the Depression.
He attended New Jersey public schools. Ed’s kindergarten teacher told each student what their future would be. She told Ed he would become a Doctor and he never doubted her prediction. Ed graduated from high school with honors in 1941 at the age of 16. He wanted to join the military, but his parents refused to sign for him. Instead, he became the first in his family to attend college when he accepted a scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. He soon enlisted in the Navy Reserve Program V12 Unit. The Navy then transferred all of the east coast medical students, including Ed, to Harvard University. Ed felt Hopkins was more challenging.
In 1945, Ed married Barbara Brinton in New York City at St Patrick’s Cathedral. They lived in Boston until Ed graduated from Harvard in 1950 with both a DMD and a MD. Ed completed his internship at University of Chicago Clinics. His first son, Christopher (Susana Hinojosa) was born in 1950. His commitment to the V12 Program then ended and Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant. On the day of his enlistment, the Korean War began. He became a Captain that day and was sent to San Pedro, California, to await deployment. Twin daughters Vicki (Raymond Posey) and Lisa (Bob Harrington) were born in Los Angeles in 1951.
Ed was deployed not to Korea, but to Germany to take part in the training and setting up of MASH units. Son Jefferies (Linda Doherty) was born in 1953. When his commitment to the Army was completed, the family moved to San Mateo, where Ed completed Internal Medical residencies in San Francisco at the VA Hospital and French Hospital. He completed a Cardiology Fellowship at Stanford University Hospital. His last daughter, Abby (Rob Scott), was born in San Mateo in 1956. At that time, fellow Harvard classmate, Dr. Weldon West, encouraged Ed to consider a move to Stockton California, then a small and growing community.
In 1956 Ed and Dr. Donald Fowell formed a practice that became Stockton Cardiology Medical Group. As a medical provider Ed excelled in the qualities that best served his patients. He was able to effectively communicate. He was empathetic and caring. He respected his patients and that respect was mutual. Ed provided the highest standards of care. His training and knowledge continued to expand throughout his long career. After 40 years, Ed retired from SCMG in 1996, but continued his commitment with St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
Ed strived to bring cutting edge Cardiology Services to his patients and the community. To achieve this lofty goal, he became an active leader at St Joseph’s Hospital/Medical Center (now Dignity Health). During his involvement at St. Joseph’s he demonstrated valued leadership in many positions including: Chief of Staff 1966, Chief of Medicine 1968-69, Chair of the Intensive Care Unit (which led to the formation of the first Cardiac Intensive Care Unit), Director of Cardiac Services, and Medical Director the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit from its inception to 2010.
In his vision to bring superior cardiac services to St. Joseph’s, Ed was instrumental in the development of the Echocardiography Department (one of the first in the State), the EKG Department, the Non-Invasive Cardiac Lab, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service, and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, which was dedicated to him in 1997.
His goals were realized by close liaisons and support with the hospital administrators and staff. His relationship with Edward G. Schroeder, Larry Philips, and hospital staff was one of mutual respect and trust. With their combined efforts the advances of St. Joseph’s Cardiac Services led to the establishment of the Cardiac Surgical Program.
In addition to his affiliation with St. Joseph’s, Ed was a member of the San Joaquin Medical Society, the San Joaquin Foundation of Medical Care, and the San Joaquin Heart Association. He was chairman and technical advisor to the new paramedic committee working with the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors to establish the first Paramedic Services. He was an adjunct Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at the University of the Pacific.
Throughout his career, Ed was a devoted family man. When Ed and Frances Rosen Byrne married in 1982, Ed’s family increased with the addition of stepsons, James and Chris Byrne.
He was a true Renaissance man, exemplifying the definition of a “person with many talents and areas of knowledge”. He loved family and the practice of medicine. He was forever learning and advancing his knowledge. He loved people, life, nature, photography (building a darkroom), travel, and physical activity, including tennis, sailing, skiing, hiking, horseback riding and dancing. He loved gardening, especially his yellow roses. He loved music. He was a creative and innovative builder with various projects at home and at his cabin. He enjoyed teaching his favorite things to his children and grandchildren.
He retreated to his beloved cabin, Camorest, in the Sierras for relaxation, family gatherings, boating, hiking, reading and listening to classical music.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, wife (Barbara), grandson Aaron, and daughter-in-law, Susana Hinojosa.
He is survived by his wife, Frances, his children (Chris, Vicki, Lisa, Jeff, Abby), James and Chris Byrne, and his brother David Caul. He leaves a legacy of 13 grandchildren: Brent, Joel, Kelly, Colleen, Rafa, Nick, Glennon, Sarah, Janice, Robert, Eddy, Ryan, Katie and soon to be 15 great grandchildren. Also he is survived by his sister-in-law, Sandy DeBenedetti (Frank), and his friend and sister-in-law, Sherri Rosen, along with many nieces and nephews.
It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to this warm, loving man who gave so much to others.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
