Relatives and colleagues are remembering Dr. Hugh Falls for his dedication and longevity as an obstetrician/gynecologist, delivering thousands of babies—including multiple generations of families — during more than 50 years in Lake Forest.
Dr. Falls died Aug. 15 of heart disease, according to his son-in-law, Hartley Rogers. He was 94.
From 1964 to 2019, Falls practiced at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, where he also served two terms as president of the medical staff.
“Dr. Falls valued his patients and treated everyone with kindness, compassion, patience, and a sense of humor,” said Dr. Michael Bauer, medical director at Lake Forest Hospital. “He was a good friend and mentor to his physician colleagues. Passionate about continuing education in all aspects of medicine, he remained active on the hospital’s Continuing Medical Education Committee and attended sessions right up to the week of his passing.”
Born in Oak Park, Falls was immersed early in the profession — his father was also an OBGYN in the western suburbs, Rogers noted.
In high school, Falls was class president and captain of the football team, where he met his future wife, Alice.
He went on to earn both undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Illinois-Chicago, then completed a three-year residency at Cook County Hospital. Rogers recalled hearing stories of Falls participating in the delivery of as many as 50 babies in a single 24-hour shift.
Following his residency, Falls enlisted in the U.S. Navy for what became a five-year commitment — two years active duty and three in the Naval Reserve. He first served on the remote Aleutian Island of Adak before transferring to what is now Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago.
As his service ended, Falls accepted a position at nearby Lake Forest Hospital.
“They got married and liked the area a lot,” Rogers said. “Even though both he and his wife were from Oak Park, they decided to make Lake Forest their home.”
Over more than five decades, Falls became one of the hospital’s most recognized physicians. Rogers estimated he delivered well over 10,000 babies, often caring for multiple generations of the same families.
“He was very dedicated, and it was a real calling,” Rogers said, noting that being on call during holidays never bothered his father-in-law.
Falls was also deeply engaged with the evolution of medicine and was a strong advocate for hormone replacement therapy, which supplements hormones no longer produced naturally.
“People came up to him and said he made a huge difference in their lives because he recommended hormone replacement therapy,” Rogers said.
In recognition of his service, Lake Forest Hospital dedicated the Hugh Falls Healing Garden in 2005. In 2023, the hospital also established a medical lecture series in his name.
Last year, the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff honored Falls as one of its “local legends.”
“He was flattered by it and gratified by all the people who showed up,” Rogers said. “There was a large audience and he had a lot of fun.”
Away from medicine, Falls enjoyed golf, tennis and gardening. At his Lake Forest home, he cultivated both vegetables and flowers.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alice; their children Amy Falls Rogers (Hartley), Hugh Douglas Falls and Christopher (Kari); and eight grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.