Necrology

Warren Ray Montgomery, Jr. '36

Apr. 5, 1913-Jun. 23, 2005

Warren Ray Montgomery, Jr. ’36, who practiced internal medicine in Buffalo, NY, for four decades, was born in that city on April 5, 1913. A son of W. Ray Montgomery, a dentist, and the former Charlotte Lipsey, a teacher, he prepared for college at Nichols School in Buffalo and followed his older brother, Robert L. ’29, to Hamilton in 1932. He joined his brother’s fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi, and engaged in an impressively wide range of student activities. Besides playing varsity hockey and golf, “Monty” Montgomery sang in the Choir, became president of the Honor Court and the Executive Council, and served as business manager of the Continental. Elected to DT, Was Los, and Pentagon, as well as the journalism honorary Pi Delta Epsilon, he was graduated in 1936.

Bent upon a career in medicine, Warren Montgomery returned to his hometown and entered the University of Buffalo’s medical school. After acquiring his M.D. degree in 1940, he began his residency at Buffalo General and Children’s hospitals. It was interrupted by a call to military service as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1942. Dr. Montgomery served throughout World War II, including overseas tours in North Africa and Italy. Attached to the 36th Infantry Division, he also participated in the Battle of the Bulge campaign and was awarded the Bronze Star. On September 15, 1945, while stationed in occupied Germany, he made a trip to Paris to wed Ina Mae Tate, an American Red Cross worker whom he had met in Europe.

Released from the Army as a captain shortly thereafter, Dr. Montgomery completed his residency in internal medicine at Buffalo General Hospital. In 1949, he entered private practice as one of the original members of the Buffalo Medical Group. Today it comprises 115 physicians and is one of the largest multi-specialty groups in the state. He also devoted much time to teaching in the residency program at Buffalo General. Dr. Montgomery retired at the age of 76 in 1989, “with some regret, because I have enjoyed every minute of my job.” However, he continued to keep his professional hand in as an evaluating physician for the Veterans Administration in Buffalo.

Despite his heavy schedule, Dr. Montgomery usually found time to indulge his lifelong passion for golf. In his 80s, he also resumed playing bridge, an enjoyment of his youth. In addition, he had a special fondness for the Lake Erie shore, where he and Ina Mae had a summer home, as well as the highlands of Chautauqua County to the south. An ardently loyal alumnus, “Monty” Montgomery was at one time president of the Western New York Alumni Association and vice president of the Society of Alumni. He kept in close touch with the College and many of his classmates, and assisted Hamilton with its fund-raising activities.

Warren R. Montgomery died on June 23, 2005, in East Amherst, NY, where he had been residing, at the age of 92. Predeceased by his wife in 1986, he is survived by a son, Warren R. Montgomery III, and a grandson. Other family members include a nephew, Robert L. Montgomery, Jr. ’59, whose father had died in 2001.

Necrology Home