ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: CAIRNS, ADRIAN BENNETT, JR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died: Monday, June 5, 2017 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= CAIRNS, ADRIAN BENNETT, JR. May 8, 1934 - June 5, 2017 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2017/st1706.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Dr. Adrian B. Cairns was delivered to our Lord on June 5, 2017. He died peacefully surrounded by family after a brief illness at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He is survived by his wife Cheryl (Cher) Ann Bourgeois Cairns, sons Adrian Bennett Cairns III, Roy William Cairns (Diana Cairns), Joseph Edward Cairns (Karly Rae Cairns), grandchildren Casey Murray, Catherine Redfield Cairns, Kristina Jean Cairns, Bella Ida Cairns, Sarah Elizabeth Cairns, and Kameron Joseph Cairns and great-grand daughter Olivia Murray. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Edward Cairns and his sister Mary Sue Cairns Lanaux. He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Adrian Bennett Cairns Sr. and Mary Adeline Davis Cairns; his first wife, the mother of his children, Jean Wiggins Cairns; and his brother Robert Frederick Cairns. A lifelong servant to family, medicine, community and philanthropy; his numerous contributions strengthened St. Tammany Parish at its core, leaving each of us with a stronger, more fortified place to live, work and thrive. His servant leadership and tireless generosity to those in need, will forever remain his legacy. His affinity for selflessness will go unparalleled. Adrian was born on May 8, 1934 in Alexandria, La. His Father a General Practitioner and Mother a housewife, Adrian knew from the age of five he wanted to devote his life serving others as a physician. He noticed the doctors’ arrival during house calls he made with his dad, seemed to make everyone a little calmer. He wanted to experience this personally. He attended Ella Delhonde School for one year and moved on to Newman High School, where he played the trumpet in the band and also played football. He was so talented musically, both Tulane and Loyola bands asked him to play with them, while still in high school. He went on to Tulane University, with a major in Pre-Med and completed his studies in just three years. He was offered a position in the lab working with Dr. George Burch and subsequently received top honors on his thesis work, prior to graduation. He interned at Philadelphia General Hospital and completed his residency in Iowa, with a focus on Otolaryngology. Adrian later joined the Army under the Berry Plan in 1959 and in short order, was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, serving as the Physician on base during the Vietnam War, working long hours ensuring our military was in tip top shape. While serving in the Army, he researched the effects of loud noises (gunshots and blasts) and its long term effect on the military. Shortly thereafter, all base recruits were supplied with earplugs to maintain their hearing while defending our country during wartime. In 1966, Dr. Cairns returned to New Orleans to practice with his father on Canal Street. He operated at several hospitals, including the EENT hospital, East Jefferson, Mercy, Touro, Baptist and the (then) Metairie Hospital. His service to others was not limited to his medical practice, rather he also maintained a presence on several Hospital Boards. He was Chief Surgeon for several years and Medical Director for one year at the local EENT Hospital. He simultaneously held a thriving practice, served on boards and also taught EENT Surgery courses at Tulane University Medical School, in the Department of Otolaryngology, for several years. Upon moving to Covington in 1983, he joined the staff of St. Tammany Parish Hospital, where he served on the Board of Commissioners for ten years. He was asked by Chairman, John Evans to start a foundation to ensure ongoing support for the world class health care provided by St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He worked diligently with like kind community minded individuals such as Pizzie Romano, Richard Knight and Harry Warner in creating the now established St. Tammany Hospital Foundation. In 2003, he became the first Chairman of the Board and served in this capacity until 2008. In 2009, the title “Chairman Emeritus” was conferred upon him and he served the STHF Board of Trustees until his death. Not to be outdone, Adrian was an avid aviator, art collector, world traveler, committed church member, community connector, story teller and a fond, frequent visitor to Indian Reservations offering alternative healing methods for those he loved. He purchased a feather box for his Medicine Woman mentor Nakai Breen, for her to place her feathers in as part of her rituals in healing and wholeness. He still has this box. He believed in both traditional medicine and alternative modalities in healing and made great friends with those on the Indian Reservations he frequented. He will probably be most remembered for his love of aviation, his sky high acrobats and the sheer joy he exuded in doing so. At one time, he owned three planes and flew each of with diligence, unleashed creativity and complete elation. Adrian Cairns greatness was obvious, difficult to articulate and nearly impossible to eulogize. He had an amazing capacity for learning, service and friendship. Friends became patients & patients became friends. He was a neighbor who when necessary became the tireless good Samaritan for the community. The days ahead will be filled with Adrian’s stories. Memories not only for his good work, but also for his enthusiasm. Everything looked better under the light of his caring warmth. Our recollections of his joy and care offer one way to fill the towering void he leaves behind. Another way to honor Adrian is to take care of each other… A service of Celebration of Life will occur on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Street Avenue, Covington, Louisiana 70433. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00, with the service ensuing immediately thereafter. An opportunity for words of witness for all will be provided to share cherished moments of our lives with Adrian. In lieu of flowers, it is Adrian’s deepest desire that all would give to St. Tammany Hospital Foundation at: www.sthfoundation.org. ===================