DeNorval Unthank
{{Short description|American physician and civil rights activist (1899–1977)}}
{{for|his son|DeNorval Unthank Jr.}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Dr.
| name = DeNorval Unthank
| image = DeNorval Unthank.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1899|12|14}}
| birth_place = Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1977|09|20|1899|12|14}}
| death_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S.
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Physician
| years_active = 1926–1970
| known_for =
| spouse = Thelma Shipman
| children = 5, including DeNorval Unthank Jr.
| signature =
}}
File:Edwin C. Berry Testimonial Banquet, Hotel Multhnomah, Portland, Oregon, 1955 (5733500923).jpg
File:DeNorval Unthank Park 02.jpg in the Boise section of Portland, Oregon, named in Unthank's honor]]
DeNorval Unthank (December 14, 1899 – September 20, 1977) was an American physician and civil rights activist in Portland, Oregon. Unthank was one of the first black doctors in Oregon and the only black physician operating in Portland during the 1930s. He became the first black member of the City Club of Portland in 1943, and co-founded the Urban League of Portland in 1945.
Early life and education
Unthank was born December 14, 1899, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He had seven siblings, and his mother died when he was nine.{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/ospecials/blackhistory/index.ssf/2008/02/18991977_denorval_unthank_brea.html|title=1899-1977: DeNorval Unthank, breaking local barriers|author=Karol, Gayle|publisher=The Oregonian (OregonLive.com)|date=February 16, 2008|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Unable to support him, his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in Kansas City.{{cite web|url=https://oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/biographies/dr-denorval-unthank-biography/|title=Dr. DeNorval Unthank Biography|publisher=Oregon History Project|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Unthank attended the University of Michigan, and later transferred to the University of Kansas, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1926, he received his medical degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.{{cite web|url=http://members.pdxcityclub.com/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=72209dfa-a626-4539-bf7e-be81dabe745f|title=My dad was very proud and honored to have the park named after him|author=Cheesman, Shannon L.|publisher=KATU|date=June 24, 2011|accessdate=September 2, 2016|format=pdf}}
Career
Unthank moved to the all-white neighborhood of Westmoreland in Portland, Oregon in 1929. Unthank's family was harassed with threatening phone calls and repeatedly had rocks thrown through the windows of their home,{{Cite journal|last=Smith|first=Gordon Harold|date=February 6, 2003|title=Black History Month|url=https://congressional.proquest.com/|journal=Congressional Record Daily Edition|volume=149|pages=S2045|id={{ProQuest| }}}} forcing them to move four times before they were able to settle.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/unthank-dr-denorval-1899-1977|title=Unthank, Dr. DeNorval (1899–1977)|author=Pearson, Rudy|date=18 January 2007 |publisher=Black Past|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Unthank was the only Black physician operating in Portland during the 1930s. He became the first Black member of the City Club of Portland in 1943. Unthank cofounded the Urban League of Portland in 1945, and served as president of the Portland NAACP chapter. Unthank moved with his family to the Irvington neighborhood in 1952. He was named Oregon Doctor of the Year in 1958.{{cite web|url=http://www.legacyhealth.org/our-legacy/stay-connected/story-center/stories/2016-stories/community/2016-02-dr-unthank-black-history.aspx|title=Remembering Dr. DeNorval Unthank's legacy|publisher=Legacy Health|date=February 22, 2016|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Four years later, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Portland Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Unthank retired from medical practice in 1970, and served as a medical consultant for the Oregon Workmen's Compensation Board from 1970 until 1976.
Personal life
Unthank and his wife, Thelma Shipman, had five children: DeNorval Jr. (1929–2000), Thomas, James (1938–2018), Thelma (1940–2009), and Lesley.{{cite web|url=http://www.theskanner.com/news/northwest/5240-thelma-unthank-brown-has-died-at-69-2009-06-25|title=Thelma Unthank-Brown Has Died at 69|publisher=The Skanner|date=June 24, 2009|accessdate=September 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://djcoregon.com/news/2000/11/14/architect-shaped-pacific-northwest-style/|title=Architect shaped Pacific Northwest style|author=Basalyga, Stephanie|publisher=DJCOregon|date=November 14, 2000|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Unthank was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Death
Unthank died on September 20, 1977, in Portland, Oregon, at age 77.
Legacy
DeNorval Unthank Park, in the neighborhood of Boise, was dedicated to him in 1969. A rededication ceremony was held in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/06/north_portlands_unthank_park_i.html|title=North Portland's Unthank Park is rededicated|author=Koffman, Rebecca|publisher=The Oregonian (OregonLive.com)|date=June 17, 2011|accessdate=September 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fish/article/353456|title=Park rededication honors Dr. DeNorval Unthank|publisher=City of Portland, Oregon|accessdate=September 2, 2016}} Other namesakes include Unthank Plaza, a senior living facility, and the DeNorval Unthank Health Clinic, also in the Boise neighborhood.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Oregon Encyclopedia|unthank_denorval_1899_1977_|author=Piasecki, Sara}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unthank, DeNorval}}
Category:20th-century African-American physicians
Category:20th-century American physicians
Category:Activists from Allentown, Pennsylvania
Category:Activists from Portland, Oregon
Category:African-American history in Portland, Oregon
Category:Howard University alumni
Category:Activists from Kansas City, Missouri
Category:Physicians from Kansas City, Missouri
Category:Physicians from Portland, Oregon