Dr. Charles B. Travis, 1938-2013: Physician developed courses on addiction

Dr. Charles Bartlett Travis III.

Dr. Charles B. Travis, a family-practice physician and a Medical College of Ohio associate professor who was honored for creating coursework on addiction, died of heart failure Feb. 28 in the Largo, Fla., home of Walter X. Price, a friend. He was 74.

He was in ill health and stayed in recent weeks with Mr. Price, Dr. Travis’ daughter Patricia said.

Dr. Travis of West Toledo began his practice of family medicine after finishing a residency in 1980 at MCO. “He was really thoughtful of how his actions would affect people, which is part of the reason he went into medicine,” his daughter said. “He had a deep respect for life and people.”

He later had his practice at MCO, from where he retired in 2005. He taught family-practice medicine and adopted another specialty, addiction medicine. In 2001, Lucas County's Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board presented him an award for creating a curriculum at MCO on drug and alcohol issues.

Charles B. Travis III was born May 14, 1938, to Myrtle and Charles B. Travis II. He was a graduate of Massena, N.Y., High School, where he played football. He received a bachelor of arts degree in romance languages from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., and taught Spanish for a time at Framingham, Mass., High School.

He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., and taught middle school science in Gorham, N.H.

He wanted to be a physician, though. He was married with two children and another on the way when “he decided to follow his dream,” his daughter said. U.S. medical schools did not accept him, so he received his medical degree from the University of Bolgna, Italy.

He skied competitively and was a member of Toledo Ski Club. He had a 24-foot sailboat and was a member of Jolly Roger Yacht Club.

Dr. Travis was formerly married to Kathleen Glavin Travis and Zauzi Travis. Surviving are his sons Charles, Michael, Benjamin, and Anthony; daughters Theresa Travis-Arnold, Patricia Travis, and Susanna Travis; sister Julie Whalen; brother Richard, and five grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi University Parish, where he was a member. The family suggests tributes to the Cherry Street Mission.