Lohr presented with prestigious civilian honor
Dr. Lloyd Lohr stands on the steps at The Bob Timberlake Gallery. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
With no inkling of what awaited him, Dr. Lloyd Lohr walked into The Bob Timberlake Gallery on Thursday evening, September 30, hand in hand, with his wife Pat, and was met with cheers and rounds of applause by those who had gathered to celebrate him. Still unsure of why so many familiar faces were congregated in one place, Timberlake came forward to share the occasion.
With a framed proclamation in hand, the artist announced to Lohr that he had been awarded the state of North Carolina’s highest honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Bestowed by Governor Roy Cooper, the award is reserved “for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.” Recipients named to The Order become NC “Ambassadors.” Their names and award dates are recorded on a roster maintained by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.
Before he transferred the document to his longtime friend, Timberlake shared a few words about Lohr.
“You couldn’t be more deserving. We appreciate you, want to thank you and we love you. It’s a special occasion.”
{Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
Lohr, who began practicing in 1970, retired last year on the exact date he began his career 50 years prior. After graduating from Lexington Senior High School, the Lexington native received his degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Medical School in 1961. Once he completed rotations in pathology and general surgery, he didn’t follow the traditional path into residency. Instead, Lohr enlisted in the Navy.
During his time in the military, he was a Navy flight surgeon and was attached to the Second Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point. While stationed at the base, Lohr began working at the hospital in the OBGYN department. Before his residency in Chapel Hill, he delivered babies for two years.
Once the octogenarian completed his four-year post in gynecology and obstetrics, he returned to his hometown and opened his practice, then Lexington Clinic for Women, in the same space previously occupied by his father, the late Dr. Dermot Lohr. In 1974, after building an office on the campus of what is now known as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist – Lexington Medical Center, his cousin, Dr. Sam Harris, who was in attendance, joined him.
It’s been guesstimated that Lohr has delivered over 18,000 babies including twins, triplets and babies that were breeched. He’s previously expressed the joy he’s experienced over births.
“It’s a great feeling that never goes away.”
Since retiring, the physician who was rarely seen without his traditional staples – jeans and cowboy boots – has been enjoying more time with loved ones including some who were gathered to celebrate him. In attendance were family, fellow doctors, friends and about a dozen nurses who had worked with the honoree throughout the years.
As Lohr greeted attendees with hugs and smiles, many chatted and shared stories about the impact Lohr’s had on their life. His sister-in-law, Betsy Howell, who also was an employee of his, offered a quick summary of her brother-in-law.
“There is nobody like him. He’s a wonderful person to have worked for all those years and a great person to be in the family. He’s the man, the myth, the legend.”
