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Noted Concord physician Lockhart dies at 87
Dr. David Lockhart
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Published: October 27, 2009
Updated: 10/28/2009 10:00 am
CONCORD - David Lockhart, retired pediatrician and co-founder of the Community Free Clinic, died Monday after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.
Lockhart treated children for more than 40 years in Concord and founded the Community Free Clinic with former Concord mayor Dr. George Liles in 1994. The clinic is celebrating its 15 anniversary this year.
"He wanted to create something for people who fall through the cracks," said Lockhart's youngest son, Malcolm. "They had jobs, but couldn't afford health care. He wanted something for them."
Venetia Skahen, director of the Community Free Clinic, talked about the years Lockhart volunteered at the clinic. Lockhart was already retired from medicine when he and Liles founded the clinic.
"He was very much a visionary. He saw a need to help the uninsured in our community," Skahen said. "He was a great man."
Lockhart was born Oct. 3, 1922, in Fort Smith, Ark. After a stint in the U.S. Navy as an officer serving in the Pacific, Lockhart came back, graduated from University of the South in Tennessee, then attended Duke Medical School in Durham. He met his wife, Betty Sue, at Duke.
Lockhart's professional accomplishments centered around children — from his pediatric practice to his work in public health. He helped start the Children's Advocacy Center at NorthEast Medical Center, a center for diagnosis and treatment of child physical and sexual abuse cases.
He also served as chairman of the pediatrics department and Chief of Staff at the Concord hospital, on the Cabarrus Board of Health and as medical director for Cabarrus Health Alliance.
Malcolm Lockhart said that even after years of dealing with children in his practice, he never got tired of being around them.
"He took pleasure in kids," Malcolm said. "He was in the right profession."
Lockhart believed strongly in giving back to the community, Malcom said.
"He would see a need and fill it," Malcolm said.
Cabarrus Health Alliance Director Phred Pilkington explained that Lockhart was the first to welcome him to the area in 1981.
"Since we had no pediatrician for children (at CHA) Dr. Lockhart asked that we send them to the children's clinic to be treated for free," Pilkington said. "He had a big heart and was a caring man. Anything you can say about him wouldn't be enough."
"Dr. Lockhart was a pillar of the community," Concord Mayor Scott Padgett said. "My contact with him started when I was an elementary school principal and he was a pediatrician. His patients and their parents benefited from his medical knowledge and kind grandfatherly manner."
Padgett said he regrets the great lost the community will feel with the passing of Lockhart.
"Dr. Lockhart and Dr. Liles realized that many people in our community could not afford basic health care. Both men were held in such high regard they inspired people to give generously to create the Community Free Clinic. The clinic has been a blessing to thousands of needy people. Dr. Lockhart's legacy will live for many years to come," Padgett said.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Sue, four children and 10 grandchildren.
Funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Road N.E., Concord. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
• Contact reporter Robin L. Gardner: 704-789-9140
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