Donated by Presbyterian/St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. The tag was used to identify a condenser made by and used by Dr. John Benson Grow Sr. (1907-1996) in 1953 during the first heart surgery performed in Colorado at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. , Rocky Mountain News (CO) - Thursday, December 26, 1996 - Dr. John Benson Grow Sr., 89, FATHER OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN THE MOUNTAIN REGION - A pioneering heart surgeon who was known for his compassion more than his ego died Sunday of a heart attack. Dr. John Grow Sr. was 89. Dr. Grow was the first to learn the latest heart techniques and bring them back to his practice in Denver. "His contribution was immense," said Dr. Charles Brantigan, chief of surgery at Columbia Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, who trained under Dr. Grow. "He is the father of cardiac surgery and vascular surgery in the whole Rocky Mountain region, and he really was a legend." Brantigan said, "(Dr. Grow) taught me most of what I know about the art of surgery. The science has changed a lot, but it's a question of style. He was one of the last true gentlemen surgeons; very mild mannered and unassuming to a fault." Dr. Grow's career included being chief of surgical services at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, chief of staff and chief of surgical services at St. Luke's Hospital, chief of staff at National Jewish and clinical professor of surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He didn't retire until he was 80 years old. Dr. Grow's mother was deaf, and he had a great empathy for people who were hearing impaired, said his son, Dr. John Grow, Jr. The elder Dr. Grow learned sign language at the age of 1 1/2 - before he could speak. He was so committed to caring for the deaf, that he devoted part of his practice to their general medical care. He also became friends with President Eisenhower, who would come to Fitzsimons every few months during World War II. During the war, Dr. Grow performed about 5,000 chest surgeries on wounded soldiers. "What drove him was his love for people and his interest in trying to help them. He worked long, long hours and was always a very kind and compassionate person," colleague Dr. David Young said. Young was in practice with Dr. Grow and knew him for 22 years. His son John, an anesthesiologist, worked with his father for many years. "I was very proud of my dad," he said. The elder Dr. Grow was born in Fulton, Missouri, in 1907, attended Westminster College there and graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis. Dr. Grow is also survived by a son, James Grow, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Grow Jeurink, and wife of 64 years, Ann Schwab.