Dr. John W. Traubert, MD

Dr. John W. Traubert, MD, born in Wheeling, W.Va., Aug. 15, 1934, the son of the late John F. Traubert and Ellen King Traubert, passed away with the comfort of his family on July 4, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Bigler Traubert, three sisters, Mary Ellen Madden, Margaret Ann Kellogg and Elizabeth Jane Lane; four children, Jean Anne Bridges and her husband, Thomas, John P. Traubert and his wife, Amy, Steven M Traubert and his wife, Amy and David W. Traubert; twelve grandchildren, Anna, Gillian, Sarah, Joshua, Sydney, Xander, Maxwell, Oliver, Lillian, Owen, Margaret and Finnian; three great grandchildren, Monty, Emerson and Ottilie. He was reared in Wellsburg, W.Va., attended St John’s Parochial School and Wellsburg High School. He earned his B.A. from West Virginia University, was a member of the WVU Swimming Team and a member of Kappa Alpha Order.

Following a tour in the U.S. Army as a Clinical Toxicologist, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a MS in Physiological Chemistry and his Medical Degree. After an internship and residency at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, he returned to his hometown of Wellsburg, W.Va. and established his Family Medicine Practice. While in Wellsburg, he served as a Clinical Instructor for the WVU School of Medicine, an EMS Instructor, the county coroner, the county health commissioner, and high school team physician. He also had a busy obstetrical practice, held hospital privileges at Wheeling Hospital and served as chairman of the Family Medicine Section: the beginnings of a lifetime of service, learning and teaching.

In 1973 he joined the faculty of the WVU School of Medicine as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine, serving in that role to 1986. During that time, he served as the Residency Director, served two terms as Chief of Staff of University Hospital, two terms in the University Academic Senate and president of the University Faculty Club. In 1986, he became the Associate Dean for Student and Curricular Affairs for the WVU School of Medicine, serving in that role until his retirement in 1999. In this capacity, he and his wife, Nancy, hosted hundreds of first year medical students in their home, serving them lasagna and colorful ice cream pie. Upon his retirement in 1999, the School of Medicine named the John W. Traubert White Coat Ceremony in his honor.

Dr. Traubert served as a field faculty member to those medical students who were doing rural rotations throughout West Virginia. He also worked in several West Virginia clinics covering for vacationing physicians and spent vacations working in Barrow, Alaska, Rocky Boy Indian Reservation in Montana, and the island of Barbuda.

He was a member of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, served as president and was honored with the “Mr. Doc” award in 1985. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Kiwanis International, The Serra Club and several other civic organizations. He also was a member of The Golden Key, Mountain, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha honoraries.

After retirement, he and his wife moved to Topsail Beach, N.C. They became involved with the Topsail Island Sea Turtle Project. Many nights were spent sitting with sea turtle nests and days helping at the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Those who spent any time around Dr. John Traubert could recognize and appreciate his love of life, his many interests, and endless curiosity. He often had a length of string in his pocket to entertain a fussy or bored child with string tricks he learned from his mother. He and Nancy enjoyed many travel adventures in their Roadtrek with their border collie, Mollie, a great frisbee dog. They towed a dune buggy and participated in several dune buggy rallies. John had the opportunity to lunch with Bruce Meyers, the creator of the Meyers Manx Dune Buggy.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Star City, W.Va., All Saints Church, Hampstead, N.C., and Holy Family Catholic Church, Hillsborough, N.C.

Friends and family will be received at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Ave., Star City, on Saturday, July 19th from 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am, with Father John McDonough as celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the St. Mary’s Peace Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WVU Foundation, Dr. John and Nancy Traubert Rural Scholars Fund, #3V986, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507.

Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.