Our beloved Dr. Betty Adams departed this life on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Pullman Regional Hospital.
Betty Kathleen Adams was born early in the Great Depression in 1931 in Springfield, Mo., to Isabel Martha Adams (née Lambeth) and Herbert Maupin Adams. Her father was a schoolteacher, and being a smart, busy little girl (a test to her wheelchair-bound mother) she started attending his classes at the age of 4. After the U.S. entered World War II, her father wanted to help the war effort, so they left the family farm in Missouri and moved to Camas, Wash., where her father worked at the Naval Shipyard nearby. They lived on a small farm with a dog, a cat and a horse for Betty to ride. She graduated from high school in Camas in 1948 at the age of 16 and began college immediately at Washington State University.
After graduating from WSU in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, she attended medical school at the University of Washington. Betty was one of just four women in her class of 76 students. She spent her internship at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane.
Although she had intended to be a physician focusing on women’s health, in 1957 she was asked to fill a vacant position as the only woman physician at the WSU Student Health Center. This opportunity would see her working and living in Pullman for the next 67 years. As director of WSU Student Health Services (1979-88), Dr. Adams instituted vaccination requirements as part of new student initiatives. She retired after working 39½ years.
Betty was a very active member of the local Community Congregational United Church of Christ. She had an inclusive outlook and liked to keep track of political news. At the time of her death, she was still on the board of directors for Palouse River Counseling, as well as a member of P.E.O. and the Kiwanis Club. Betty also played pool every Friday with a group of good friends.
Betty was noted for her quick wit, welcoming smile, warm heart and listening ear. Over the years, she acquired many friends who became family. After good friend, Nancy Ramaker, moved into Betty’s roomy home, Betty became close with Nan’s entire family living in the Seattle area and added them to her homemade family.
Betty loved traveling, especially her trips to Europe and New Zealand. She made it to 47 states in the U.S., including road trips to Alaska and Palm Springs, Calif., and going back to Lebanon, Mo., to connect with family and see her cattle farm.
Beyond medicine, Betty’s loves included driving head-turning, powerful cars; she owned quite a few. Her favorite was her 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk, which she promptly took to The Great Salt Lake where she got it up to 120 mph. She also loved her 1967 British Land Rover; it was a hardtop with a big winch on the front. It was not fast, but it guaranteed that she could get to the hospital in any weather conditions.
She had many pets throughout her life, especially small dogs, a Scottish Terrier, a pair of Miniature Pinchers, a Cairn Terrier and her last dog, Buddy, a Miniature Schnauzer. Her cat, Kitsy, amusingly provided protection for Buddy.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, all her aunts and uncles, and many of her closest friends, as well as her pets. Betty is survived by two first cousins, Marilyn Faye Vernon of Farmington, Conn., and Helen Harmon (née Willard) of Marysville, Mich. She also had many second cousins spread around the country and her “adopted nephew,” Don Driftmier of Seattle. The core of her homemade family in Pullman includes Eileen and Jeff Zeller, Debbie and Mark Grillo, and Patricia and Richard Huggins.
A small, informal graveside committal service was held on Thursday, May 30, at the Pullman City Cemetery. Longtime friend and pastor emeritus Kristine Zakarison officiated.
A memorial to remember and celebrate Betty’s amazing life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, at Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 525 N.E. Campus St., Pullman. Please note: Betty would like you all to wear your WSU or Husky best. We hope it looks like an Apple Cup game.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorial donations or contributions be made to Pullman Child Welfare pullmanchildwelfare.org, or the charity of your choice. Corbeill Funeral Homes of Pullman is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at corbeillfuneralhomes.com.
