Dr. Edgar O. Yhap, of The Woodlands, TX died in his home, on October 17th, 2014. He was 88 years old. Dr. Yhap is survived by his wife Nadine, and children, Larry Yhap of Santa Cruz, CA, Nina Mulderrig of San Francisco, CA, Catherine Bonargent of Paris, France, and Diane Csapo of Seattle, WA and Christine Yhap-Kleckner of The Woodlands, TX.
Dr. Yhap was born on July 20, 1926 in Hope Town, West Coast Berbice, British Guyana to Benjamin Lugard, Chinese native of British Guyana and Rosaline Marion Yhap, Born Nedd, native to Guyana. He was the oldest of 10 siblings and was active in scholastic activities and sports from a young age.
Dr. Yhap was the first in his family to be accepted into college and ultimately the medical field. Dr. Yhap did his Pre- Med studies at the University of Columbia in New York. From there he traveled to the University Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium where he completed his medical degree. He completed his basic residency at Queens Hospital on Long Island.
Dr. Yhap was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Corps in 1960. His first station was The 14th Field Hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany from 1960-1963. Upon completion of his tour in Germany, Dr. Yhap was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C where he completed his residency in anesthesiology. In 1967 he was deployed to Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam. He returned to Walter Reed in 1968 where he worked as a staff anesthesiologist until 1972. He continued his military service at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX from 1972-1976 where he became Chief of Anesthesia. In 1976, Dr. Yhap transferred to Letterman Army Medical Center, Presidio of San Francisco where he remained until his retirement in 1980 as a Colonel. While at Letterman, he rose to become Chief of Anesthesia and implemented a course of Anesthesia for Nurses, a first in the US Army.
Prior to his retirement, Dr. Yhap was awarded the prestigious “A” prefix to his Military Occupational Skill, denoting outstanding ability and service to mankind in anesthesiology. Dr. Yhap went on to become a Professor of Anesthesiology at the Stanford University Medical School until his retirement to the south of France in 1989.
Dr. Yhap distinguished himself as the recipient of numerous awards to include The Legion of Merit. One of the highest awards given by the U.S. Army, Dr. Yhap received this honor for his outstanding performance as a physician, anesthesiologist, teacher, researcher, and military officer, and in recognition of his significant contributions to the residency program in anesthesiology at Letterman Army Medical Center. His research and many and published papers in numerous medical journals were instrumental in the initial foray into the field of second-hand cigarette smoke on commercial aircraft and its detrimental effects. He spent his retirement gardening, cooking and enjoying time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Dr. Yhap returned to the United States in 2005 and resided in Princeton, New Jersey for a few years before settling in The Woodlands, Texas.
Edgar passed away peacefully in his home of natural causes. The funeral service was held at The Fort Meyer Old Post Chapel, September 11th, 2015. Services began at 11 am.
The Fort Myer Old Post Chapel is located across from Brucker Hall, adjacent to the Arlington National Cemetery Gate. Address is: 204 Lee Ave #335, Fort Myer, VA 22211.
