Death came yesterday to Dr. Ira E. Huffman, pioneer Tucsonan, former mayor and civic leaders and, for many years, a leading physician in the state.
Dr. Huffman, a resident of Tucson since 1906, died after a long illness and more than nine years after his retirement as a medical practitioner. He was to have observed his 85th birthday March 13.
Dr. Huffman served two terms as mayor -- from 1911 to 1915 -- and under his leadership streets were paved and graded in the city for the first time. Concrete was laid on Stone avenue and Congress, among others.
During his administrations -- he was re-elected to the second term in 1912--the Fourth avenue subway was installed over much opposition, and the way was cleared for the construction of more subways in the area.
In addition, parks were improved and the price of electric current reduced during his tenure in office. He was also instrumental in bringing the YMCA here in 1914.
After leaving office he continued to work for the city in unofficial capacities and in 1920 helped bring the Veterans hospital to the Old Pueblo.
Dr. Huffman practiced medicine in Tucson for 39 years. On his retirement in 1945 he was the oldest doctor here in length of service.
He served as president of the Pima County Medical society and the Arizona State Medical society and was on the state board of health for many years.
For 31 years, from 1914 until his retirement, he was acting surgeon of the U.S. Public Health service in Tucson and also served as medical director of the University of Arizona from 1941 until 1945.
Dr. Huffman, born in Versailles, Ind., in 1870, graduated from Iowa State university in 1901 and shortly after began practicing in Iowa. He remained there for five years before deciding to come west.
During World War I he held the rank of major in the army, serving for three years, much of which time was spent overseas. He held the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army reserve to the time of his death.
A member of the American Legion, Dr. Huffman was a past commander of the Morgan McDermott post. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Elks.
Dr. Huffman is survived by his wife, Edith, whom he married in 1910; a daughter, Mrs. Alice H. Taylor, and two grandchildren, of Los Angeles, and a nephew, Dr. John W. Huffman of Evanston, Ill.
Funeral ervices are set for Monday afternoon. The time and place of burial will be announced by Arizona mortuary.
Dr. Huffman, a resident of Tucson since 1906, died after a long illness and more than nine years after his retirement as a medical practitioner. He was to have observed his 85th birthday March 13.
Dr. Huffman served two terms as mayor -- from 1911 to 1915 -- and under his leadership streets were paved and graded in the city for the first time. Concrete was laid on Stone avenue and Congress, among others.
During his administrations -- he was re-elected to the second term in 1912--the Fourth avenue subway was installed over much opposition, and the way was cleared for the construction of more subways in the area.
In addition, parks were improved and the price of electric current reduced during his tenure in office. He was also instrumental in bringing the YMCA here in 1914.
After leaving office he continued to work for the city in unofficial capacities and in 1920 helped bring the Veterans hospital to the Old Pueblo.
Dr. Huffman practiced medicine in Tucson for 39 years. On his retirement in 1945 he was the oldest doctor here in length of service.
He served as president of the Pima County Medical society and the Arizona State Medical society and was on the state board of health for many years.
For 31 years, from 1914 until his retirement, he was acting surgeon of the U.S. Public Health service in Tucson and also served as medical director of the University of Arizona from 1941 until 1945.
Dr. Huffman, born in Versailles, Ind., in 1870, graduated from Iowa State university in 1901 and shortly after began practicing in Iowa. He remained there for five years before deciding to come west.
During World War I he held the rank of major in the army, serving for three years, much of which time was spent overseas. He held the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army reserve to the time of his death.
A member of the American Legion, Dr. Huffman was a past commander of the Morgan McDermott post. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Elks.
Dr. Huffman is survived by his wife, Edith, whom he married in 1910; a daughter, Mrs. Alice H. Taylor, and two grandchildren, of Los Angeles, and a nephew, Dr. John W. Huffman of Evanston, Ill.
Funeral ervices are set for Monday afternoon. The time and place of burial will be announced by Arizona mortuary.
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