John Robert Tietjen M.D.

A Life of Public Service: Humanitarian and Visionary
Dr. John Tietjen of Petersburg, Virginia, passed away February 14, 2015. Born April 16, 1916, Dr. Tietjen asserted he was “born lucky,” but the luck belonged to those who knew him. Raised in Albany, New York, he attended Albany Medical College, where he met and later married the love of his life, Norma Janet Fraughton of Malone, New York in 1945. During 1943-1945 he was also a second lieutenant in the US Army. He briefly worked as a physician in private practice before beginning his intelligence career in 1946 with the Strategic Services Unit (SSU).When CIA was established in 1947, he became chief of its medical staff, holding that post until his retirement in 1975. During these years, his family resided in Arlington, Virginia. Following his retirement from CIA, he was presented both the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. In 1997, as part of the Agency’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration, Dr. Tietjen was named a CIA Trailblazer-one of a select number of individuals whose leadership, achievements, and dedication to mission had a significant and lasting impact on the Agency’s history. He relocated to Petersburg, Virginia, to continue his life of public service. In 1975, he accepted the position of Director of Crater Health District, responsible for public health throughout the Petersburg/ Tri-Cities area, Emporia, Surry and surrounding counties. He held this position until 1986, receiving the Distinguished Physicians Award from the Virginia Association of Local Health Directors and the Special Public Health Award from the Virginia Public Health Association. Not one to stay “retired,” in 1987 he accepted a position as the Medical Director of Southside Regional Medical Center, a position he held until 1990. He was particularly concerned about the urban poor whose incomes limited their freedom of access to medical care. He served on the Crater Health District Advisory Board and was appointed by the City Council, serving as chairman of the committee on primary care. In 1995, he agreed to serve as the Medical Director for a hospice which was being developed. Crater Community Hospice continues to serve the chronically ill with or without medical coverage today. A member of Rotary, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Devoted Community Service in 1995. He is survived by his wife, Norma F. Tietjen, two daughters, Dr. Patricia Tietjen Demont and Donna Jean Tietjen as well as a granddaughter, Lisa Kristine Demont. His son, John Robert Tietjen, Jr. predeceased him. He is also predeceased by his parents, John Henry Tietjen and Frieda Von Hamma Tietjen, sisters Madeline Tietjen Wise and Lilla Tietjen and a niece Hazel Kennedy. Surviving nieces and a nephew include Lilla Wise, Nancy Wise, Joyce Foster and Robert Wise. Also surviving relatives include a sister in law, Joan Fraughton Spear, brother in law Dr. Merritt Spear of Peru, New York and their four children Geoffrey Spear, Stephanie Spear, Allison Spear and Jennifer Spear Tompkins as well as numerous other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ and Grace Church, 1545 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 (804 733-7202) on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Dr. Tietjen to the following organizations: Crater Community Hospice, Cares Foundation, the Petersburg Downtown Churches or the Rotary Club of Petersburg, Virginia, Charitable Foundation, Inc. (for Petersburg area college tuition) PO Box 3311, Petersburg, Va. 23805. Condolences may be made at www.jtmorriss.com .