Paddle-out held in memory of Dr. John Cherry

About 250 people gathered on the shore above WindanSea Beach on March 29 for a paddle-out in memory of Dr. John Cherry of Encinitas.

Cherry passed away on Feb. 10, 2015, at age 87. Encinitas resident Kevin Smith spoke at the paddle-out, and at a later service that afternoon, many speakers described Cherry’s contributions to medicine in San Diego, including pioneering work in the conservative approach to breast cancer surgery.

Cherry had a long and distinguished medical career, including service with the U.S. Air Force and continuing in private practice. He was an associate clinical professor of surgery at UC San Diego. Most recently, he was chief of medical staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, and chairman of the Department of Surgery. He retired in 1992 after 32 years at Scripps.

He was an avid surfer into his 70s, enjoying the San Diego and Mexico coastlines with his children and grandchildren, teaching them to ride the waves. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in his name to the Scripps Polster Breast Care Center, P.O. Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038-2669 or call 858-678-6340. See more here.